Effect of metal ions on the dispersion and agglomeration behavior of micro-fine wolframite

The effects of metal ion species, valence state, and pH on the dispersion and agglomeration behavior of micro-fine particles of wolframite were studied in this work. Adsorption capacity test, flotation kinetics, solution chemistry, zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to evaluate the effect of metal ions on dispersion and agglomeration mechanism of micro-fine particles of wolframite. The results of turbidity and focused beam reflection measuring instrument tests showed that divalent and trivalent metal ions significantly affected the agglomeration behavior of micro-fine particles of wolframite compared with monovalent metal ions. Under specific pH conditions, divalent and trivalent metal ions destabilized and agglomerated the micro-fine particles of wolframite suspension. The results of XPS and solution chemistry showed that the Pb2+, Mn2+, Fe2+ and Al3+ adsorbed on the wolframite surface turned into hydroxide or hydroxyl complex, which improved the flotation rate of wolframite.