Application of nano-collector in mineral flotation: A review

IF 4.6 2区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Powder Technology Pub Date : 2025-07-22 DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2025.121430

Wanzhong Yin , Yuxuan Fan , Yu Xie

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Flotation constitutes a pivotal separation technique in mineral processing, with its efficiency heavily dependent on flotation reagents, particularly collectors. Conventional collectors face inherent limitations in refractory ore processing, including poor selectivity, low recovery efficiency, and significant environmental impacts. Nano-collectors demonstrate unique advantages as emerging alternatives. Defined as nanoparticles with particle sizes within the 1–100 nm range, nano-collector include organic synthetic particles (e.g. polystyrene, cellulose and it's derivatives), inorganic synthetic particles (e.g. SiO₂, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃), and naturally occurring mineral particles (e.g. Talc). By utilizing their high specific surface area and tunable physicochemical properties (e.g. surface charge, functional groups), nano-collectors enhance selective adsorption at mineral interfaces, thereby improving recovery rates while reducing environmental impacts through lower dosage requirements, and ultimately enhancing cost-effectiveness. Current research lacks comprehensive systematic analysis of the relationship between nano-collector surface characteristics and flotation performance. This review provides a critical review of recent advancements in nano-collector applications for mineral flotation, detailing synthesis protocols, flotation interaction mechanisms, and application efficacy across nanoparticle categories. Emphasis is placed on elucidating the correlations between particle size, surface properties, and flotation performance, with mechanistic insights into how surface charge, functional groups, and hydrophobicity govern mineral-nanoparticle interactions, which is of great guiding significance for promoting the innovation and optimization of mineral flotation processes.

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纳米捕收剂在矿物浮选中的应用综述

浮选是选矿中的一项关键分离技术，其效率在很大程度上取决于浮选剂，特别是捕收剂。传统的捕收剂在难选矿石处理中面临着固有的局限性，包括选择性差、回收率低、对环境的影响大。纳米集热器作为新兴的替代品显示出独特的优势。纳米捕收剂被定义为粒径在1-100纳米范围内的纳米颗粒，包括有机合成颗粒（如聚苯乙烯、纤维素及其衍生物）、无机合成颗粒（如SiO2、TiO2、Fe2O3）和天然矿物颗粒（如滑石粉）。通过利用其高比表面积和可调的物理化学性质（如表面电荷、官能团），纳米捕集剂增强了在矿物界面上的选择性吸附，从而提高了回收率，同时通过较低的剂量要求减少了对环境的影响，最终提高了成本效益。目前的研究缺乏对纳米捕收剂表面特征与浮选性能之间关系的全面系统分析。本文综述了纳米捕收剂在矿物浮选中的最新进展，详细介绍了纳米捕收剂的合成方案、浮选相互作用机制以及不同纳米颗粒类别的应用效果。重点阐明了颗粒大小、表面性质与浮选性能之间的关系，并从机理上了解了表面电荷、官能团和疏水性如何影响矿物-纳米颗粒的相互作用，这对促进矿物浮选工艺的创新和优化具有重要的指导意义。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Powder Technology 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

15.40%

发文量

1047

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Powder Technology is an International Journal on the Science and Technology of Wet and Dry Particulate Systems. Powder Technology publishes papers on all aspects of the formation of particles and their characterisation and on the study of systems containing particulate solids. No limitation is imposed on the size of the particles, which may range from nanometre scale, as in pigments or aerosols, to that of mined or quarried materials. The following list of topics is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to indicate typical subjects which fall within the scope of the journal's interests: Formation and synthesis of particles by precipitation and other methods. Modification of particles by agglomeration, coating, comminution and attrition. Characterisation of the size, shape, surface area, pore structure and strength of particles and agglomerates (including the origins and effects of inter particle forces). Packing, failure, flow and permeability of assemblies of particles. Particle-particle interactions and suspension rheology. Handling and processing operations such as slurry flow, fluidization, pneumatic conveying. Interactions between particles and their environment, including delivery of particulate products to the body. Applications of particle technology in production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods, pigments, structural, and functional materials and in environmental and energy related matters. For materials-oriented contributions we are looking for articles revealing the effect of particle/powder characteristics (size, morphology and composition, in that order) on material performance or functionality and, ideally, comparison to any industrial standard.