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ABSTRACT
Andalusite and kyanite are two polymorphic minerals with the same formula but different crystal structures. Despite of their high economic values, selectively recovering them by flotation is a challenge. The flotation recovery of andalusite is higher than that of kyanite with sodium oleate. Sodium oleate adsorbs onto the surfaces mainly through the chemical interaction of oleate ions with aluminum atoms. The higher adsorption of sodium oleate on andalusite surface between the two minerals is related to the higher chemical activity of the aluminum atoms which leads to the better affinity and therefore the lower adsorption energy of sodium oleate.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of this study from Wuhan University of Technology. Nanyang Kyanite Mining Limited is thanked for the supply of the mineral samples. The first author also thanks the financial support provided by Zhejiang Gongshang University and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling.