Measuring collector adsorption to inform flotation performance (publication)

CMI researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation   
A combined experimental and computational approach reveals how hydroxamic acid adsorption drives flotation, guiding the optimal choice of collector for monazite.

Achievement

  • Spectroscopic and computational methods uncovered how hydroxamic acid adsorption on monazite affects flotation
  • Aliphatic OHA forms a denser, more strongly adsorbed layer, while aromatic EDHBA builds stable multilayers through stronger intermolecular forces.
  • Microflotation experiments demonstrate that EDHBA exhibits better performance than OHA, achieving higher REE yield at basic pH with an improvement of 2-3%.

Significance and Impact  
By elucidating how molecular-scale adsorption governs flotation behavior, this work provides a science-driven foundation for rational collector design.

Hub Target Addressed   
Insights into adsorption inform collector design strategies that enable more efficient REE recovery from traditional or unconventional sources.

process diagram for Top: Adsorption of OHA and EDHBA collectors on the monazite surface from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Bottom left: microflotation cell. Bottom right: monazite recovery rate & grade from microflotation test for hydroxamic acid collectors OHA and EDHBA at three pH levels.
Top: Adsorption of OHA and EDHBA collectors on the monazite surface from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Bottom left: microflotation cell. Bottom right: monazite recovery rate & grade from microflotation test for hydroxamic acid collectors OHA and EDHBA at three pH levels.