Effect and mechanism of quaternary ammonium salt ionic liquid as a collector on desulfurization and desilication from artificial mixed bauxite using flotation

An quaternary ammonium ionic liquid (1401) was synthesized through tetradecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and sodium isobutyl xanthate. Firstly, it was used as a flotation collector for reverse flotation of silicates and sulfur from diaspore-type high-sulfur and high silicon bauxite. Results demonstrated that maximum Al2O3 recovery of 50.8% were achieved, the sulfur content and the ratio of A/S were 0.65% and 3.24. The results showed the 1401 has a stronger collecting ability and selectivity for diaspore compared with dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and N-butyl xanthate. The adsorption mechanism of 1401 on the surface of diaspore, kaolinite and pyrite was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Results indicated that physical adsorption was occurred between the 1401 and the surface of diaspore, kaolinite, and the adsorption amount on the surface of kaolinite is much greater than that of diaspore. And the chemisorption between the 1401 and pyrite was occurred and suggested that 1401 was preferred to adsorb on the surface of diaspore and pyrite. These results indicate that the quaternary ammonium ionic liquid 1401 can be used as the collector for reverse flotation of diaspore, providing new ideas for the utilization of bauxite.