The effect of amino trimethylene phosphonic acid on the flotation separation of pentlandite from lizardite

To reduce the negative effects of lizardite on the flotation of pentlandite, amino trimethylene phosphonic acid(ATMP) was tested as a potential depressant for lizardite. Micro-flotation test results indicated that the flotability of pentlandite restored in pentlandite-lizardite system by the addition of ATMP. The adsorption and ICP results indicated that ATMP interacted with the Mg species of lizardite surface meanwhile a part of the Mg ions were dissolved from lizardite surface. XPS tests illustrated that ATMP changed the surface characteristics of lizardite mineral and the Mg/Si atomic ratio decreased on lizardite surface. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated that the lizardite zeta potential was changed from positive to negative after interacting with ATMP, which caused the electro-steric repulsion between pentlandite and lizardite particles, and thus the pentlandite floatability was restored. [Display omitted] •The flotability of pentlandite was depressed by lizardite slimes.•ATMP can limit the negative effect of lizardite on pentlandite flotation.•Surface charge of lizardite from positive to negative with ATMP.•Electrostatic repulsion between pentlandite and lizardite under ATMP.