Improvement of the froth flotation of LiAlO and melilite solid solution via pre-functionalization.

In this work froth flotation studies with LiAlO (lithium-containing phase) and Melilite solid solution (gangue phase) are presented. The system was optimized with standard collectors and with compounds so far not applied as collectors. Furthermore, the principle of self-assembled monolayers was introduced to a froth flotation process for the first time resulting in excellent yields and selectivities.