Investigating reagent-mineral interactions by colloidal probe atomic force microscopy


Investigating reagent-mineral interactions by colloidal probe atomic force microscopy

Babel, B.; Rudolph, M.

The characterization of reagent-mineral interactions in flotation systems of finely intergrown ores holds difficult challenges for the applicability of standard techniques like Hallimond tube tests and contact angle experiments or renders them impossible due to a lack of sufficient samples in terms of quality and quantity. This disadvantage may not apply to more sophisticated techniques, but these often do not work in an aqueous environment.
We present the utilization of an atomic force microscope with a hydrophobic colloidal probe to characterize the wettabilities of individual mineral domains of an ore sample, while additional spectral information is gathered by Raman spectroscopy. The exemplary ore sample investigated is mainly containing cassiterite and quartz, therefore the reference measurements like Hallimond tube tests and contact angle experiments were carried out with this binary system as a comparison.
The focus of the study lies in the correlation of data gathered by the atomic force microscope and the Raman spectrometer with data from standard techniques. Finally the applicability of the colloidal probe atomic force microcopy technique for reagent-mineral investigations is critically evaluated.

Keywords: Atomic force microscope; colloidal probe; hydrophobic interactions; Raman spectroscopy; cassiterite

  • Contribution to proceedings
    International Mineral Processing Congress, 17.-21.09.2018, Moskau, Russland
    International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC 2018)
  • Lecture (Conference)
    International Mineral Processing Congress 2018, 19.09.2018, Moskau, Russland

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-28483
Publ.-Id: 28483