Defect structures of mineral surface and its influence on flotation: a critical review

Abstract

Mineral surfaces typically exhibit abundant defects arising from geological processes, crushing and grinding operations, pulp solution environments, and anthropogenic factors. Serving as reactive centers, these surface defects endow mineral surfaces with distinct physical and chemical properties that directly influence the interfacial behavior of minerals in flotation systems. This article emphasizes the pivotal role of surface defect structures in mineral flotation interfacial phenomena, systematically reviewing their effects on mineral surface structure, properties, and flotation performance, as well as the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, it outlines potential future research directions in surface defect chemistry relevant to mineral flotation, offering theoretical insights and novel perspectives for the precise control of flotation processes and the design of targeted reagent molecules.