Difference in flotation behavior of galena by single and multi-step chronoamperometric oxidation

The relationship between electrochemical oxidation (Chronoamperometry) of galena surfaces and collocterless galena flotation was investigated in detail. The chronoamperometry (CA) micro- flotation experiments and zeta potential experiments were performed with ground galena particles (106×53 μm). In addition, contact angle measurements were carried out with a freshly cleaved galena sample at pH 4 in order to investigate any changes in galena surface hydrophobicity after the surface oxidation electrochemically. The results from this study indicated that there is a strong link between the nano/micro-physico-chemical properties of a sulphide on galena surfaces and collectorless flotation of galena particles at pH 4. The results were also supported with the electrokinetics behavior and contact angle values of galena particles.