Effect of surface oxidation of ilmenite in acid mine drainage system on its surface properties and flotation performance

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2025-02, Vol.706, p.135763, Article 135763
• Main Authors: Ding, Zhan, Yuan, Jiaqiao, Yu, Anmei, Yang, Kaiyun, Li, Lin, Bai, Shaojun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid mine drainage; Fenton reagents; Ilmenite; Iron valence; Oleate species
• ISSN: 0927-7757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.135763

High-efficiency flotation recovery of ilmenite and comprehensive utilization of AMD remains the challenging problem. In this paper, we developed a new method to activate ilmenite flotation and we also performed AMD reuse. Micro-flotation experiments and modern detection methods were conducted to better understand the underlying mechanism. The results indicated that the ilmenite recovery in the treated AMD system was increased by∼11 % with Fenton modification at the recommended conditions (pH=7.0, the concentration of Fenton reagent of 0.2 mmol/L and NaOL of 0.4 mmol/L). Zeta potential and Raman spectra verified that the Fenton reagent presence enhanced oleate species adsorption. The results of UV–vis spectrophotometry displayed that the adsorption rate of hydroxyl radical (•OH) on the ilmenite surface reached 31.58 %, triggering the oxidization of the ilmenite surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results further validated that the Fenton reagent promoted iron valence conversion on the ilmenite surface from Fe2+ to Fe3+, thereby boosting oleate species adsorption. The Fe3+ species in the total iron ultimately increased from 34.1 % to 71.9 %. Atomic force microscopy analysis results provided strong evidence that more amount of oleate species was deposited on the ilmenite surfaces with Fenton reagent modification, enhancing ilmenite recovery. This study provided a theoretical foundation for ilmenite flotation and comprehensive AMD utilization. •This study accomplished the reuse of AMD through neutralization treatment.•Ilmenite flotation recovery was increased by~11% with Fenton modification.•Ilmenite was activated using Fenton reagent as an oxidant and surface modifier.•Fenton reagent effectively promoted iron valence conversion on ilmenite surfaces from Fe2+ to Fe3+. [Display omitted]