Interaction of amphoteric collector with silica and hematite surfaces

The silica represents the main gangue mineral in iron ore deposits. Different surfactants were used for separation of silica from iron ores. in the current work, an amphoteric collector was used as an alternative for the current reagents. Pure minerals of silica and hematite were used to investigate the mechanism of the amphoteric collector adsorption on both minerals. it was found that the adsorption density of collector was pH dependent. Preferential adsorption of collector was found to be at acidic pH range. The mechanism of collector interaction with the mineral surface was found to proceed via electrostatic interaction. Zeta potential measurements have indicated the possibility of collector adsorption by electrostatic interaction under the conditions where mineral surface and collector are oppositely charged.