Zeta Potential Measurments of Graphite Ore Minerals and its Correlation on Selective Flotation of Graphite

Abstract

In the present study, the surface chemical properties of graphite ore minerals with and without using tannin were characterized by electrokinetic measurements and adsorption studies and its correlation was studied with selective flotability of graphite and calcite. The results indicated that tannin has not shown significant effect on zeta potential with graphite at all pH ranges, whereas the effect of tannin on calcite mineral has shown a reduction in zeta potential due to adsorption of tannin on calcite surface; hence flotation selectively depressed calcite at alkaline pH and promoted to float graphite alone.