Abstract

Electrokinetic behavior of malachite,cerussite,smithsonite and calcite have been investigated through the measurement of zeta-potential and calculation of solution chemistry.It is shown that the theoretical isoelectric points of carbonate minerals calculated according to the lowest solubilities and equivalent point method correspond well with the practical ones.The negative zeta-potential values of malachite,cerussite and smithsonite are increased when sodium sulphide and xanthate are added,but they have no influence on zeta-potential of calcite.The interactions between dissolved species of minerals and the surface of minerals have much influence on the zeta-potential of mineral surface.The chemical reactions of dissolved Pb2+ ion from cerussite at the surface of smithsonite give rise to the similar surface chemistry character and electrokinetic behavior with those of cerussite.