Difference in flotation behavior of galena by single and multi-step chronoamperometric oxidation

The relationship between electrochemical oxidation (Chronoamperometry) of galena surfaces and collocterless galena flotation was investigated in detail. The chronoamperometry (CA) micro flotation experiments and zeta potential experiments were performed with ground galena particles (106x53 mu m). In addition, contact angle measurements were carried out with a freshly cleaved galena sample at pH 4 in order to investigate any changes in galena surface hydrophobicity after the surface oxidation electrochemically. The results from this study indicated that there is a strong link between the nano/micro-physico-chemical properties of a sulphide on galena surfaces and collectorless flotation of galena particles at pH 4. The results were also supported with the electrokinetics behavior and contact angle values of galena particles