LAUSR

Abstract The floatability of chalcopyrite and pyrite by using 6-hexyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazinane-3-thione (HTT) as a collector was evaluated in the paper. In comparison with the traditional-type collector sodium hexyl xanthate (SHX), HTT exhibited the favorable flotation affinity toward chalcopyrite and superior selectivity for flotation separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite. UV spectra demonstrated that HTT preferred to react with cupric/cuprous ions rather than ferric/ferrous ions. Contact angle results indicated a stronger hydrophobization of HTT towards chalcopyrite than SHX. DFT (density functional theory) calculations recommended that HTT had a stronger electron-acceptance power to the d-orbital electrons of interface copper atoms on chalcopyrite and a slightly weaker electron-donation ability than HX− anion, which improved the flotation selectivity of HTT toward chalcopyrite against pyrite. AFM images displayed a dense cover of HTT agglomerates on the whole surface of chalcopyrite. Zeta potential and XPS confirmed the bonding interaction of the interface copper atoms of chalcopyrite with the N and S atoms of HTT’s tetrazinane-thione group.