Flotation behavior and sulfidation mechanisms of stibiconite after sulfidation with sulfur

Abstract

Flotation behavior of stibiconite after sulfidation roasting with sulfur at a high temperature and the sulfidation mechanisms were investigated by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) combining with thermodynamic calculation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The XRD and thermodynamic analyses revealed that the Sb₃O₆(OH) was reduced into Sb₂O₄ and Sb₂O₃, and was transformed into Sb₂S₃ after introducing sulfur at high temperatures. Flotation test results show that flotation recovery of the stibiconite after sulfidation reaches 90.3%. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry tests confirm that adsorption capacity of sodium butyl xanthate (SBX) on surface of the roasted products has a positive relationship with S/Sb mole ratio. XPS analyses indicate that Sb-bearing species including mainly Sb₂S₃, Sb₂O₃ and Sb₂(SO₄)₃ are formed at the surface of particle after sulfidation. The EPMA analyses verify that the Sb₂S₃ is generated at the outer layer of sample after sulfidation roasting, but the particle interior is mainly composed of antimony oxides. The sulfur atmosphere induces the outward migration of oxygen to form Sb₂O₄. Then, the Sb₂O₄ is transformed into Sb₂O₃ in two pathways, and the Sb₂S₃ is formed. These findings will provide theoretical support for recovering antimony from antimony oxide ores by xanthate-flotation methods.

Keywords

stibiconite / sulfidation roasting / stibnite / flotation

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Central South University