Separation between cassiterite and quartz by a synthesized collector 2-(2-(hydroxycarbamoyl)phenoxy)acetic acid

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 380; p. 135294
• Main Authors: Qin, Longwei, Lv, Jinfang, Qi, Jing, Qian, Haiyu, Zhang, Chunli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 07.02.2026
• Subjects: Cassiterite; Flotation separation; HCPAA; Quartz; Synthetic collector; Synthetic collector; HCPAA; Cassiterite; Quartz; Flotation separation
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2025.135294

Fine-grained cassiterite usually was recovered by flotation technology. Salicylhydroxamic acid and benzhydroxamic acid are widely used as collectors in the cassiterite flotation. However, they are subject to certain restrictions in industry production due to large dosage and high cost. Therefore, 2-(2-(hydroxycarbamoyl)phenoxy)acetic acid (HCPAA) was synthesized as a novel collector of cassiterite in the study. It exhibited excellent selectivity and collection ability in flotation separation between cassiterite and quartz. The adsorption tests proved that the adsorption capacity of HCPAA on cassiterite surface was greater than that on quartz surface. Zeta potential studies indicated that HCPAA effectively reduced the surface potential of cassiterite. The contact angle tests showed that HCPAA greatly improved hydrophobicity of cassiterite. Infrared spectroscopy and XPS demonstrated that HCPAA was attached to the surface of cassiterite by chemisorption, while it was adsorbed on the surface of quartz by physisorption. This study provides a theoretical basis for the efficient separation of cassiterite from quartz. [Display omitted] •2-(2-(Hydroxycarbamoyl)phenoxy)acetic acid was synthesized as a novel collector of cassiterite.•HCPAA exhibited excellent selectivity and collection ability in the flotation separation of cassiterite and quartz.•HCPAA was attached to surfaces of cassiterite and quartz by chemisorption and physisorption, respectively.•The O atom in –OH in HCPAA structure bonded with the Sn atom on cassiterite surface.