The effect of cellulose nanocrystals and pH value on the flotation process for extraction of minerals

Nowadays, the development of the new flotation reagents is focused on the environmental-friendly technologies and reducing the costs of industrial wastes treatment and re-cultivation as well. Biopolymer particles are anattractive object for designing effective non-toxic processes of enrichment and extraction of valuable mineral raw materials. The effect of cellulose nanocrystals particles on the electrokinetic properties of hybrid and individual dispersions of silica and titania was studied. The obtained data will allow to implement an effective flotation process of titanium-containing or titanium oxide ores on the example of leucoxene ores of the Yaregskoye deposit, Komi Republic (Russia). Calculations of the interaction of the minerals surface (titania and silica) with nanosized cellulose particles based on the theory of DLVO are presented. Highlights Cellulose nanocrystals were used as a new agent for the separation of silica and titania. Electrokinetic characteristics of disperse systems (nanocellulose, titania and silica) were studied. Based on the DLVO theory, the mechanism of fixation of CNC on individual oxides was calculated and confirmed. The effective pH range of silica and titania separation is from 2 to 3.