Evaluations of two proposed mechanisms of cation adsorption by silicate minerals

Previous work done at the Brigham Young University by Andelin^1, Roberts^2, and Olsen^3, has established the mechanism by which xanthate collectors are adsorbed on molybdenite ores to produce the hydrophobic surfaces necessary for flotation. This thesis is an attempt to better understand the mechanism by which the silicate minerals, which are found in conjunction with the ores, become hydrophyllic and as a result are not floated when in contact with air bubbles. It has been previously established that silicate minerals do adsorb cations on their surfaces^4. The present study has been undertaken to more fully understand the mechanism by which the cations are adsorbed, since the adsorbed cations are at least partially responsible for the hydrophyllic nature of the aluminum silicates. The present study shall be limited to the clays illite, beidellite, bentonite, and kaolinite, which are a group of the aluminum silicate minerals.