Effect of CuSO4 on sulfidized cerussite surface properties and its response to the flotation behavior

• Cu ions can interact with the sulfidized cerussite surface and form Cu-S species. • Cu-S species formed on sulfidized cerussite surfaces reduced the distribution of Pb-S species. • Addition of high concentration of CuSO 4 was harmful to the flotation of sulfidized cerussite. Cerussite, as an important metal mineral, is enriched mainly by sulfidization flotation. Ions in the pulp solution affect sulfidized cerussite flotation. In this work, the adsorption mechanism of copper ions on the sulfidized cerussite surfaces was investigated by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta potential, and ultraviolet analysis. The effect of copper ions on the flotation of sulfidized cerussite was studied by microflotation experiments. Adsorption analysis indicated that copper species adsorbed on sulfidized cerussite surfaces and change the chemical states and properties of the mineral surfaces. Copper-sulfide species were generated, which reduced the distribution of lead-sulfide species on the mineral surface. Xanthate adsorption on the sulfidized cerussite surfaces was almost unaffected at a low CuSO 4 concentration. A high CuSO 4 concentration resulted in a dramatic decrease in lead sites on the mineral surface, and excess Cu species in the pulp solution consumed xanthate, which reduced the xanthate-species adsorption on the sulfidized cerussite surfaces. Thus, the flotation recovery of sulfidized cerussite remained almost unchanged at a low CuSO 4 concentration, compared with the flotation of sulfidized cerussite without CuSO 4 treatment, whereas it was depressed at a high CuSO 4 concentration.