Effect of Oxidation on the Floatability and Surface Properties of Galena

A galena sample from Hunan, China, was selected as the research object. The pH of the pulp and the dosage of the collector were optimized for the flotation of galena, utilizing butyl xanthate and butyl ammonium dibuthyl dithiophosphate as the collectors. The alteration in the floatability of galena was also examined post-oxidation in different solutions. The influence mechanism of oxidation on the surface properties of galena was studied using a range of analytical techniques, including contact angle measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, ζ potential detection, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis. The galena recovery is found to decrease in proportion to both an increase in oxidation time and an increase in oxidant concentration. Oxidation exerts a greater detrimental impact on recovery when butyl xanthate is used compared to ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate. Contact angle and FT-IR analyses and ζ potential indicate that intensified oxidation suppresses the natural floatability of galena and that chemical adsorption and a weak physical adsorption interaction occur between galena and both collectors. XPS analysis demonstrates that oxidation increases the content of high-valence sulfur species and generates elemental sulfur during the oxidation process. SEM-EDS analysis indicates that oxidation diminishes the adsorption of both collectors on the galena surface. These findings provide theoretical insights into the effects of oxidation on galena floatability and surface characteristics, thereby offering support for the flotation separation technology of oxidized sulfide minerals.