EFFECT OF SPACER CHAIN LENGTH ON THE FLOTATION OF KAOLINITE AND QUARTZ BY USING GEMINI SURFACTANTS AS COLLECTOR

摘要

Gemini surfactants are a new generation of amphiphilic molecules, which have attracted greatrninterest for their excellent surface properties. The flotation of kaolinite and quartz by using cationicrnGemini collectors with respect to variation in spacer length (designed as 12-s-12, s = 2, 4, 6) werernstudied. 12-4-12 was the most outstanding collector for kaolinite flotation, followed by 12-6-12 andrn12-2-12, whereas 12-6-12 floated readily for quartz, next coming 12-4-12 and 12-2-12. Influence ofrnspacer length of the Gemini on their collecting ability was studied by zeta potential, tensiometryrnand contact angle measurement. Different structure of the aggregates or the micelles formed on therninterface of kaolinite and quartz could illustrate the essential differences of their collecting ability.