Electrochemical Reaction Aspect of Nitrogen Flotation
If a conductor such as many sulphide minerals or metal [1] is immersed in an aqueous medium it will assume an electrical potential with respect to the medium as a result of electrochemical reactions that occur at the interface. The reactions and, thereby, the potential difference are dependent upon the nature of the mineral or metal and the presence and activities of species in the aqueous phase.
Anodic reactions:
Oxidation of metal Me = Me+2 + 2e-
Oxidation of mineral and formation of sulfur MeS = Me+2 + So + 2e-
Oxidation of xanthate 2X- = X2 + 2e-
Oxidation of anion S-2 = So + 2e-
Cathodic reactions:
Reduction of oxygen 1/2O2 + H2O + 2e- = 2OH-
Reduction of cation Me+2 + 2e- = Me
In the latter case of reductive processes, the concentrations of metal ions more electronegative than the metal contained in the mineral/metal are very low, such that the reduction of oxygen is the principal reaction. If a single mineral is considered (see Fig.1) then both anodic and cathodic processes will proceed in respective areas and current will flow between these domains (Ia and Ic).
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