Novel insights into the microstructure of Al-BHA on the surface of ilmenite

In the process of flotation recovery of metal oxide ore, the complexes obtained by premixing metal ions with benzohydroxamic acid are often used as collectors. The study of aluminum (III) -benzohydroxamic acid (Al-BHA) system is not perfect. In order to study the chemical properties, microstructure and adsorption mechanism of Al-BHA on mineral surface, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and density functional theory (DFT) were used. The analysis of FTIR confirmed the chemisorption of Al-BHA onto the ilmenite. AFM results show that the coverage of Al-BHA on the surface of ilmenite is obviously better than that of BHA. According to Fukui function and frontier orbital theory, the chemical activities of Al-BHA are greater than those of BHA. In addition, aluminum atom is the active center of Al-BHA. The bonding model of the collector and (104) ilmenite surface showed that the vacuum adsorption energy of Al-BHA was higher than that of BHA, and the bridge site adsorption form is the most stable. Overall, it is possible to apply Al-BHA with higher activity to ilmenite flotation. [Display omitted] •DFT and experimental study of Al-BHA interactions with ilmenite.•The adsorption of BHA and Al-BHA can change the surface morphology of ilmenite.•The chemical activity of Al-BHA is higher than BHA.