Effect of Cationic and Anionic Surfactants on the Electrokinetic Potentials of Cassiterite and Quartz in the Presence of Polyvalent Cations

Abstract

The effect of different polyvalent electrolytes (FeCl 3 , AlCl 3 , LaCl 3 , CeCl 3 and ThCl 4 ) on the adsorption of different surfactants (primary amine hydrochloride, sodium oleate, sodium dodecyl sulphate and phenyl disodium orthophosphate) on cassiterite and quartz particles has been studied using microelectrophoresis. The zeta potentials of the oxides and their isoelectric points were determined as a function of pH in the presence of constant concentrations of both surfactants and electrolytes. The mechanism of adsorption of surfactants on cassiterite and quartz surfaces modified by salt cations is discussed. In general, in the presence of the above-mentioned salts, the zeta potentials and the isoelectric points (IEPs) of the oxides are considerably changed on addition of different surfactants.