Anisotropic adsorption of xanthate species on molybdenite faces and edges and its implication on the flotation of molybdenite fines

Utilizing xanthate in bulk flotation of Cu-Mo sulfide ores is inevitable, but the implication of xanthate on the flotation of molybdenite fines is barely understood. In this study, the influence of sodium butyl xanthate (SIBX) on the flotation of molybdenite fines and the interaction mechanism was comprehensively investigated by micro-flotation tests, contact angle, adsorption capacity, electrochemical tests, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Micro-flotation tests indicated that SIBX significantly enhanced the flotation of molybdenite fines across a wide pH range. Contact angle, adsorption capacity, Tafel curves, AFM, FTIR and XPS results suggested both xanthate and dixanthogen species adsorbed on molybdenite surfaces, thus improving the hydrophobicity of both edges and faces. Rest potential measurements clarified dixanthogen species dominated on faces while xanthate ions prevailed on edges. DFT calculations elucidated dixanthogen physically adsorbed (−66.06 kJ/mol) on faces while xanthate chemisorbed (−235.62 kJ/mol) on edges via the hybridization of two S atoms within SIBX with two Mo atoms to form highly covalent bonds. This work first clearly unveiled the anisotropic adsorption mechanism of SIBX species on faces and edges, significantly improving the flotation efficiency of molybdenite fines.