Interface mineral processing, Raman

Application of Raman Spectroscopy to the Study of Interfaces in Mineral Processing. 

In mineral processing, there are numerous systems in which postulates have been made to suggest adsorption of surface active molecules on specific surface sites. Most of the postulates are based on inference from a variety of observations and direct evidence has been lacking. It should now be possible to use Raman spectroscopy to characterize solid/aqueous solution interfaces. 

Understanding of the structure of the adsorbed surfactant and polymer layers at a molecular level is helpful for improving various interfacial processes by manipulating the adsorbed layers for optimum configurational characteristics. Until recently, methods of surface characterization were limited to the measurement of macroscopic properties like adsorption density, zeta-potential and wettability. Such studies, while being helpful to provide an insight into the mechanisms, could not yield any direct information on the nanoscopic characteristics of the adsorbed species. Recently, a number of spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence, electron spin resonance, infrared and Raman have been successfully applied to probe the microstructure of the adsorbed layers of surfactants and polymers at mineral-solution interfaces. 

Waite TD (1990) Photo-redox processes at the mineral-water interface. In Mineral Water Interface Geochemistry. HochellaMF, White AF (eds), 15 559-603 Wood SA (1989) Raman spectroscopic determination of the speciation of ore metals in hydrothermal solutions I. Speciation of antimoity in alkaline sulfide solutions at 25°C. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 53 237-244... 

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