Abstract:

N-decyl-1, 3-diaminopropanes (DNs) were synthesized from alkyl-amine acrylonitrile at ambient pressure. With the synthesized DNs as collectors, the flotation of kaolinite, pyrophyllite and illite was conducted and the results were interpreted in terms of the structure-activity relationship. The DNs are found to be more effective collectors than dodecyl amine, exhibiting the highest recovery over a pH range of 4-6. Among the DNs examined, DN12 shows the highest flotation efficiency. The flotation mechanisms were explained in view of the structures of reagents and aluminium silicate minerals. It is demonstrated that DNs can become new selective collectors for reverse floatation to remove aluminium silicate minerals from bauxite.