Prefunctionalization of minerals by dry grinding in the presence of Punicines for selective separation
- Punicines are phenolpyridinium compounds suitable for surface modification of lithium aluminate and other mineral particles due to their versatile chemical functionalization without losing switchability. They exist as cations in acidic solutions, neutral dipolar molecules around pH 7, and as anions or dianions in basic conditions. Light can reversibly convert punicines into radicals, enabling external control over their binding to particles and their surface properties via pH and light. For efficient separation of valuable mineral components from gangue materials, particles are ground to the micrometer range. This comminution creates new surfaces and induces chemical and structural changes and increases surface reactivity. Adding punicines during comminution ensures uniform surface binding, resulting in higher separation efficiencies compared to dry or wet mixing. Three separation mechanisms are considered: forced triboelectrification (FTC), selective wet agglomeration, and flotation. FTC involves applying high voltage to a conductivePunicines are phenolpyridinium compounds suitable for surface modification of lithium aluminate and other mineral particles due to their versatile chemical functionalization without losing switchability. They exist as cations in acidic solutions, neutral dipolar molecules around pH 7, and as anions or dianions in basic conditions. Light can reversibly convert punicines into radicals, enabling external control over their binding to particles and their surface properties via pH and light. For efficient separation of valuable mineral components from gangue materials, particles are ground to the micrometer range. This comminution creates new surfaces and induces chemical and structural changes and increases surface reactivity. Adding punicines during comminution ensures uniform surface binding, resulting in higher separation efficiencies compared to dry or wet mixing. Three separation mechanisms are considered: forced triboelectrification (FTC), selective wet agglomeration, and flotation. FTC involves applying high voltage to a conductive surface interacting with the material, neutralizing target material charge while others remain charged. This enables separation in an electrostatic separator. Selective wet agglomeration employs a suspension liquid, an oil-based binding liquid, and suspended particles. Hydrophobized particles form agglomerates via oil droplet adhesion. The influence of punicines on adhesion forces is studied using a FluidFM® system. Flotation separates valuable particles via selective adsorption of air bubbles. Punicines act as collectors, hydrophobizing particles and enhancing their affinity for air bubbles. A feasibility study with lithium aluminate demonstrated significantly higher yields when punicines were added during co-grinding.…


| Author: | Sandra BreitungORCiD |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | 978-3-18-990144-3 |
| ISSN: | 0083-5560 |
| Parent Title (English): | Book of Abstracts |
| Publisher: | VDI-Verlag |
| Place of publication: | Düsseldorf |
| Editor: | Maximilian Fischer, Ali Zgheib, Lukas Büttner, Mehran Javadi, Laura Schwan, Annett Wollman, Alfred Weber, Ulrich Bröckel, Andreas Schmidt |
| Document Type: | conference proceeding (article) |
| Language: | English |
| Date of first Publication: | 2025/09/16 |
| Release Date: | 2025/09/29 |
| Konferenzangabe: | International Congress on Particle Technology |
| institutes: | Partikeltechnologien, Rohstoffinnovationen und Ressourceneffizienz |
| Research Themes: | Materialien & Produktionstechnik |
