The adsorption of oleate on powellite and fluorapatite: A joint experimental and theoretical simulation study

Highlights: • Flotation of powellite from fluorapatite at pH 2–7 using 50–80 mg/L sodium oleate can be achieved. • Oleate chemisorbs on powellite by interaction of carboxylate group with lattice Ca atoms. • Calcium dioleate precipitates can also adsorb on powellite surface. - Abstract: Flotation and adsorption performance of sodium oleate(NaOl)on powellite and fluorapatite were investigated in this work through micro-flotation tests, work of adhesion calculations, molecular dynamics simulation, micro-topography studies and FTIR measurements. The micro-flotation results show a similar flotation behaviors of powellite and fluorapatite under alkaline conditions, but a considerable difference in mineral recoveries in the pH range 2–7, which demonstrates the possibilities for separating powillite from fluorapatite under acidic conditions. The great difference in mineral recovery displays a good accordance with the obvious difference in the work of adhesion of powellite and fluorapatite at NaOl dosage range of 40–80 mg/L, obtained from flotation and contact angle measurements, respectively. The more negative interaction energy (ΔE) between NaOl and powellite/water interface from molecular dynamics simulation reveals a more easily adsorption of NaOl onto powellite than onto fluorapatite, which excellently matches with the results of flotation and work of adhesion. The results of micro-topography study shows that the adsorption of NaOl on powellite is mainly ascribed to the chemisorption of oleate ions with Ca²⁺ on powellite lattice or the precipitation of calcium dioleate agglomerates on powellite surface when it was in the solution without or with Ca²⁺, respectively. The FTIR measurements further confirm the chemisorption of oleate ions with Ca²⁺ active sites on powellite surface.