Xanthate adsorbed on ZnS studied by polarized FTIR-ATR spectroscopy

The structure and orientation of heptylxanthate adsorbed on a ZnS surface h ave been studied by the FTIR-ATR technique. By using polarized light and th e dichroic ratio, we found the average tilt angle to be approximately 44 de grees. The adsorbed layer studied was prepared by self-assembly from soluti on or by spraying the solution onto the surfaces of the ATR crystal for a s hort time and then rinsing with water. From the spectra we can conclude tha t there is a mixture of adsorbed heptylxanthate and formed diheptyldixantho gen on the ZnS surface. A bridging coordination of the adsorbed heptylxanth ate is proposed.