Shr. Brienne et al., X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON AND INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF SPHALERITE ACTIVATION WITH IRON, Langmuir, 10(10), 1994, pp. 3582-3586
The interaction of the sphalerite (ZnS) mineral with ferrous, ferric,
and xanthate ions at pH 10 has been studied by using ex situ X-ray pho
toelectron (XPS) and ex situ and in situ infrared (DRIFTS and ATR, res
pectively) spectroscopy. Interaction occurs with Fe2+ but not with Fe3
+. The mechanism involves initial adsorption of Fe2+, followed by oxid
ation to Fe3+, and subsequent reaction with xanthate. The final surfac
e product is hydrophobic and may be a factor in the notation of sphale
rite.