Effect of Microwave Irradiation on Physicochemical Properties of Ilmenite Surface

Salmani Nuri, Omid; Irannajad, Mehdi; Mehdilo, Akbar; Alizadeh, Salar

Effect of Microwave Irradiation on Physicochemical Properties of Ilmenite Surface

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, I.R. IRAN

Abstract

In this research, the microwave energy was used to modify the physicochemical properties of ilmenite surface for improvement of ilmenite floatability. The XPS analysis showed that microwave irradiation oxidizes the Fe²⁺ ions to Fe³⁺ ones; and the relative content of Fe³⁺ on the surface of ilmenite increases from 48.5% to 66%. This oxidation process decreases the ilmenite zeta potential; as its PZC (Point of Zero Charge) was changed from pH=5.4 to pH=3.0. The increase of Fe³⁺ ions increases the chemisorption of oleate ions on the surface of ilmenite; and results in the formation of more insoluble ferric iron oleate. The maximum adsorption of oleate ions occurs at a pH range of 6-7. After microwave irradiation the measured contact angle of ilmenite increases from 91 to 96 degrees. After oleate adsorption, the surface zeta potential of non-irradiated and irradiated ilmenite is obtained -66.3 mV and -78.1 mV, respectively. Thus, the changes in the physicochemical properties of ilmenite occurred by microwave irradiation improves the hydrophobicity and floatability of ilmenite in a wide pH range.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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