Role of Cation in the Flotation of Quartz

Silver ion promoted floatability of quartz with potassium ethyl xanthate. Adsorbabilities of cation by the quartz decreased in the order of Ag^+>Cu^<2+>>Al^<3+>>Th-<4+> in the flotation concentration range. Silver ion also showed a sharp change in the Zeta potential of quartz, showing an iso-electric point with the addition of xanthate, while Cu^<2+>, Al^<3+> or Th<4+> ion gave no special features by the addition of xanthate. It was concluded that the following two conditions had to be satisfied in the cuartz flotation by xanthate as was illustrated by the silver ion : 1) strong adsorption of cation by the quartz 2) formation of a stable metal-xanthate compound on the quartz surface.