Microscale insights into the influence of grinding media on spodumene micro-flotation using mixed anionic/cationic collectors

Here, the influence of grinding media with different shapes on the flotation performance of spodumene and its potential mechanism from microscale insights was investigated using a single mineral flotation experiment, X-ray diffraction(XRD) test, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectrometry(SEM-EDS), atomic force microscope(AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The flotation data indicated that under anionic/cationic(sodium oleate(Na OL)/DDA) collectors system,the rod milled spodumene has a higher floatability than ball milled ones. XRD results confirmed that rod medium makes spodumene exposed more {1 1 0} and {1 0 0} planes, while ball medium makes spodumene exposed more {0 1 0} planes. The typical anisotropic surface of spodumene makes the surface of rod milled spodumene possess more Al sites, further confirmed by SEM-EDS and XPS results.Additionally, it was found that the rod milled spodumene presents a larger value of elongation and flatness, which are parameters closely related to bubble adhesion. AFM analysis indicated that rod milled products have a rougher surface, while ball milled products have a smoother surface. Consequently,the rod medium enhanced the adsorption of Na OL/DDA on the spodumene surfaces. This work provides theoretical guidance for optimizing the separation of spodumene from the perspective of grinding.