Theoretical studies on the interaction of anionic collectors with Cu+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ ions

The influence of collector structure on interaction with metal cations was modelled by computational ab initio methods. The interaction energies were calculated between metal ions (Cu+, Cu2+ Zn2+ and Pb2+) and selected collector anions: ethyl xanthate, ethyl trithiocarbonate, dithiobutyric acid, ethyl dithiocarbamate, diethyl dithiocarbamate, diethylphosphinecarbodithioic acid and diethoxyphosphinecar bodithioic acid. The strongest interaction was found with diethyl dithiocarbamate. The results give qualitative information on the effect of the collector structure on the initial adsorption steps on sulphide mineral flotation.