STUDY OF GALENA POTASSIUM ETHYL XANTHATE SYSTEM BY X-RAY-DIFFRACTOMETRY AND SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY

The mechanism of fixation of potassium ethyl xanthate at low concentra tion on lead sulphide has been investigated with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that from the first mo ment of reaction there is nucleation and crystallization of Pb-ethyl-x anthate salts and this phenomenon starts from small areas on the surfa ce of PbS. The kinetics of reaction depends on some parameters, like c oncentration of solution and temperature, but also on PbS surface stat e, in particular on oxidation state.