Surface modification of ilmenite by a novel surfactant dodecyliminodimethylenediphosphoinc acid and its sequent influence on ilmenite floatability.

In the study, a novel compound of dodecyliminodimethylenediphosphoinc acid was synthesized, and its adsorption mechanism onto ilmenite surface was investigated by zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscop (XPS) measurements. The zeta potential measurement results indicated that dodecyliminodimethylenediphosphoinc acid (DDDA) could adsorb onto ilmenite surface, and the optimum pH range for adsorption was 4–8 (similar to the flotation behavior). The FTIR analyses further confirmed that DDDA chemisorbed onto ilmenite surface and formed metal–DDDA complex, rendering the hydrophobic media for flotation. The XPS results provided strong evidences that DDDA species chemisorbed onto ilmenite surface and reacted with Fe ions rather than Ti ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]