A Novel Chelating Collector with Di-minerophilic Group 5-Methyl Butylxanthate-1,2,4-Triazole-3-Thione: Its Synthesis and Selective Flotation Mechanism of Chalcopyrite from Pyrite

The article presents the synthesis and application of a novel collector, 5-methyl butylxanthate-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (MBuXTT), for chalcopyrite flotation separation from pyrite. Various interfaces and surface characterization analysis methods were employed to study the flotation separation mechanism. The micro-flotation and contact angle experiments demonstrated a significant enhancement in the surface hydrophobicity of chalcopyrite following treatment with MBuXTT. Within the pH range investigated, MBuXTT effectively enriched chalcopyrite while separating it from pyrite. Compared to the traditional collector sodium butyl xanthate, MBuXTT exhibited superior selectivity and collecting ability towards chalcopyrite. Adsorption of MBuXTT on the chalcopyrite surface was found to be an endothermic-spontaneous chemisorption process. ζ-Potential analyses and UV spectra confirmed specific adsorption of MBuXTT on chalcopyrite rather than pyrite surfaces. Additionally, FTIR, XPS, and DFT calculations were conducted to explore the adsorption mechanism on the chalcopyrite surface, and the results indicated that MBuXTT-Cu complexes can be covered on the chalcopyrite surface with formation of Cu(I)-S and Cu(I)-N bonds along with release of H⁺ and oxidation product formation involving S–S bonds.