Influence of high concentration Zn2+ on floatability of sphalerite in acidic system

The influence of high concentration Zn²⁺ on the floatability of sphalerite in an acidic system was investigated via flotation experiments, zeta potential measurements, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that Zn²⁺ was adsorbed on the sphalerite surface and a Zn-hydroxyl complex was formed at a pH of 4 and a Zn²⁺ concentration of 4×10^?2 mol/L. The zeta potential increased and the contact angle decreased from 84.80° to 36.48°, strongly inhibiting the floatability of sphalerite. When S^2? or Cu²⁺ activator was used alone, sphalerite was not activated after Zn²⁺ was adsorbed, and its contact angle did not change significantly. However, by using a combination of S^2? and Cu²⁺ activators, its floatability was realized after Zn²⁺ adsorption. This result was attributed to the removal of the Zn-hydroxyl complex on the surface of sphalerite by S^2?. After this removal, Cu²⁺ was adsorbed on the sphalerite surface to form a Cu₂S·S⁰ hydrophobic film.