Use of nanocellulose for surface modification of magnetite and silicate in mineral pulps

Purpose and goal
The project shows that nano-entities can, to a large extent, modify the surface charge of magnetite and quartz. Micro-flotation shows that nano-entities can induce hydrophobicity to mineral surfaces. Mini-flotation, with mixtures of quartz and magnetite in a small mechanical cell and with added nano-entities, shows that it is possible to achieve selective flotation of quartz, but the recovery is low.

Structure and implementation
Production and modification of nano-entities has worked without any problems. The measurement of Zeta potential to study adsorption of nano particles on mineral surfaces has worked well. Micro-flotation of single minerals and mineral combinations has shown that it is possible to get some understanding whether the treatments will change the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance on the mineral surfaces. Mini-flotation with mixtures of quartz and magnetite has given indications that there are conditions to have selective flotation quartz at larger scales.

Results
Mini-flotation, with mixtures of quartz and magnetite in a small mechanical cell and with added nano-entities, shows that it is possible to achieve selective flotation of quartz, but the recovery is low. The results show that nano-entities with surface active groups can be guided to adsorb on mineral surfaces, and induce hydrophobicity. As a result, quartz can be made to selectively float from magnetite. This may be a starting point for intelligent modification of nano-entities, and might lead to the replacement of amines in silicate flotation.