Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study on the Interactions of Mixed Cationic/Anionic Collectors on Muscovite (001) Surface in Aqueous Solution.

In this study, the adsorption mechanisms of dodecylamine hydrochloride(DDAHC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS), and their mixed anionic/cationic collectors at ten different molar ratios on a muscovite (Mcv) surface in neutral aqueous solution were assessed by molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). According to the snapshot, interaction energy, radial distribution function (RDF), and density profile between the Mcv surface and collector molecules, the individual DDAHC collector was an effective collector for the flotation of Mcv. The molar ratio of anionic/cationic collectors was determined to be an essential factor in the flotation recovery of Mcv.

Molecular dynamics simulations of adsorption behavior of DDAH, NaOL and mixed DDAH/NaOL surfactants on muscovite (001) surface in aqueous solution.

The adsorption mechanism of collectors on minerals is of fundamental importance in the research and development of flotation science and processing technology. To examine the effect of cationic dodecylamine hydrochloride (DDAH), anionic sodium oleate (NaOL) and mixed DDAH/NaOL surfactants with different molar ratios on the adsorption behavior on the muscovite (001) surface, the adsorption mechanism of DDAH, NaOL and their mixture on the muscovite (001) surface in neutral aqueous solution was investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results showed that the cationic DDAH molecules absorb on the muscovite (001) surface by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, whereas the anionic NaOL molecules cannot independently adsorb on the muscovite surface.