Electrokinetic Behavior of Fluorite

Abstract

The electrokinetic behavior of fluorite mineral was studied under various partical sizes and different concentrations of oleic acid at constant pH. The particle size has been reduced with an increase in activation time. The surface energies of milled fluorite minerals were calculated theoretically and experimentally. The zeta potential of the fluorite/water system has shifted to lower side with an increase in particle size. The isoelectric point (iep) of fluorite minerals has been shifted to lower side with increase in oleic acid concentration. This indicates the chemisorbed oleate formation on fluorite. A sharp decrease in zeta potential in the pH range of 6.5–8.4 and the decrease in calculated free energy of adsorption shows the formation of calcium dioleate precipitate on fluorite.

Keywords:

• Fluorite
• iso electric point
• oleic acid
• particle size
• surface area
• surface energy
• zeta potential

Acknowledgments

K. C. is grateful to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi for financial support.