Flotation Properties and Surface Interactions of a Multicomponent Xanthate Collector Based on Fusel Oil in the Flotation of Sulfide Minerals

Developing effective collectors for the flotation separation of sulfide minerals is of interest for enhancing the recovery of valuable components from mineral raw materials. This study investigates the flotation properties and surface interactions of a multicomponent xanthate (MX) collector derived from fusel oil. The composition of the starting fusel oil was determined via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while the resulting MX was characterized using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The flotation activity of MX was evaluated using chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, and pyrite across three size fractions (−0.100 + 0.074, −0.074 + 0.040, and −0.040 + 0 mm) at collector concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/L. Additionally, zeta-potential analysis, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to assess the interaction between the collector and the mineral surface. It was found that the flotation efficiency of MX depends on the mineral type, particle size, and collector concentration. The highest chalcopyrite recovery (81.9%) was achieved with the −0.074 + 0.040 mm fraction at an MX concentration of 7.5 mg/L after 3 min of flotation. Maximum final recovery values for galena, sphalerite, and pyrite were 73.9%, 51.4%, and 23.9%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the multicomponent composition of MX provides mineral-specific flotation performance, making it a promising candidate for further research in the beneficiation of sulfide mineral ores.