Application of flotation agents and their structure-property relationships

Application of flotation agents and their structure-property relationships 

With non-polar minerals such as talc, mica and coal, the particle surfaces can interact with the non-polar portion of the molecules by van der Waals force. In this case, hydrocarbon portions can function as mineralophilic groups. Except in the case of depressants or some flocculants, the non-polar portions of long hydrocarbon chains in flotation agents possess only the framework formed from C-H groups with linking to polar hydrophilic and minerophilic groups [4]. 

It is essential to maintain a proper balance among the three basic groups (hydrophobic, hydrophilic and minerophilic) in the molecules so as to get the desired collector, frother, 

Each group of the molecule has an individual role in the flotation. Overall property of the molecule is a cumulative one of all the groups. A reagent molecule with various structural portions can therefore be divided into individual groups and its effect on the whole molecular property can be assessed. This facilitates evaluation of the structure-property relationships of flotation agents. 

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Application of flotation agents and their structure-property relationships Adsorbed starch Shielded collectors... 

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