Adsorption Mechanism and Photoelectron Spectroscopy Analysis of
Composite Agents on the Surface of Niobium Iron Ore
HE Yu-long1, 3, 4, 5, HE Xu-ran6, ZHAO Zeng-wu2*, JIA Yan1, 3, 4, 5, CUI Jiu-long1, 3, 4, 5, SUN Pan-shi1, 3, 4, 5
1. School of Mining and Coal Technology, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014000, China
2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Huhhot 010000, China
3. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Coal Safety Mining and Utilization Engineering Technology Research Center, Baotou 014000, China
4. Inner Mongolia Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Mining and Utilization of Coal, Baotou 014000, China
5. Key Laboratory of Mining Engineering, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Baotou 014000, China
6. Baoshan Mining Company, Baotou Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., Baotou 014010, China
Abstract：The refractory nature of niobium mineral beneficiation arises from its inherent characteristics of low head grade, finely disseminated grain structure, and complex mineralogical associations. This investigation employs columbite as feed material and introduces a reagent blend as a synergistic collector system for niobium mineral concentration. The interfacial interaction mechanism between the mixed reagent system and columbite particulates was systematically elucidated through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), establishing a technical foundation for comprehensive niobium resource utilization. FTIR characterization revealed chemisorption phenomena through characteristic vibrational signatures: emergence of —N—H stretching vibrations at 3 437.13 cm-1 with notable peak shifting, coupled with distinct CO (1 651.36 cm-1) and —C—N (1 102.64 cm-1) stretching modes. These spectral modifications confirm surface chelation between the reagent blend and columbite lattice constituents. XPS analysis demonstrated surface-specific adsorption evidence through N(1s) photoelectron peak emergence and chemical shift alterations in Nb5+ binding energy. The observed coordination changes suggest metallo-chelate formation via —O—Nb—O— bonding configurations. Combined spectral interpretations support the formation of five-membered ring chelate complexes at the mineral-reagent interface. Bench-scale flotation tests demonstrated significant metallurgical improvements: The composite collector system elevated niobium concentrate grade from 0.217% to 3.24% with 83.03% recovery. Comparative analysis against single-collector protocols showed equivalent recovery with 0.53% grade enhancement despite yield reduction. This performance optimization confirms the reagent blends' efficacy in enhancing surface hydrophobicity and mineral selectivity, thereby improving overall separation efficiency in niobium flotation circuits.
Key words：Composite agent; Niobium iron ore; X-ray energy spectrum; Infrared spectrum
贺宇龙，贺旭然，赵增武，贾 艳，崔久龙，孙盘石. 复合药剂在铌铁矿表面吸附机理及光电子能谱分析[J]. 光谱学与光谱分析, 2025, 45(08): 2357-2363.
HE Yu-long, HE Xu-ran, ZHAO Zeng-wu, JIA Yan, CUI Jiu-long, SUN Pan-shi. Adsorption Mechanism and Photoelectron Spectroscopy Analysis of
Composite Agents on the Surface of Niobium Iron Ore. SPECTROSCOPY AND SPECTRAL ANALYSIS, 2025, 45(08): 2357-2363.
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