Flotation performance and adsorption mechanism of lepidolite by a new bipolar (N—O) ether amine collector

This study proposes a class of ether amine-tridecyl oxy propyl ether amine (TPA) with N—O structure introduced into C—O—C as a flotation collector for the flotation separation of lepidolite. The results of both pure lepidolite and actual ores showed that TPA exhibited better flotation performance under acidic conditions than the traditional collector dodecylamine (DDA). The contact angle test showed that TPA exhibited better hydrophobicity than DDA at different concentrations of collector at pH=5. Zeta potential, infrared spectrum and XPS tests showed that TPA was adsorbed on the surface of lepidolite by electrostatic adsorption. Surface tension and viscosity tests, foam volume and half-life tests together proved that TPA had better foam performance. Therefore, TPA demonstrates promising prospects of application in the flotation of lepidolite due to its hydrophobicity and foam properties.