| Abstract: | Oxidation of galena produced thiosulphate and sulphate ions at the mineral surface but flotation activity, using isopropyl xanthate as collector, was found to depend on the concentration of thiosulphate ions at the surface. It is proposed that the thiosulphate ion reacts with di-isopropyl dixanthogen formed by oxidation of xanthate ion in solution. It was demonstrated that these species react in homogeneous solution to give xanthate and xanthogen-thiosulphate ions. The proposed surface reaction may account for the formation of a layer of adsorbed xanthate ions and for the surface redox potential being raised to a value where more xanthate ions can be chemisorbed and where dixanthogen is stable. |
