SURFACE-IONIZATION AND COMPLEXATION AT THE SPHALERITE WATER INTERFACE.2. COMPUTATION OF ELECTRICAL DOUBLE-LAYER PROPERTIES OF SPHALERITE IN THE PRESENCE OF IRON IONS IN A SIMPLE ELECTROLYTE

A triple-layer site-binding model was used to describe the electrical properties of the iron-treated sphalerite/water interface. The surface ionization constants were determined by fitting zeta potential data t o the model using MATLAB software, Using electrokinetic data and knowi ng surface ionization constants, the species distribution both at the sphalerite surface and in solution as a function of pH was evaluated, The relevance of this species distribution to sphalerite flotation is discussed. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.