Mechanism of β-cyclodextrin/kerosene Pickering lotion for improving the flotation effect of Aphanitic Graphite

Surfactants are commonly used as emulsifying agents for the cmulsification of oilly collectors.However,surfactants exhibil high foaming ability in the emulsification process.which is not conducive to the application of cmulsified collectors.To this end,The idea of using β-cyclodextrin as emulsifier to emulsify kerosene is put forward to prepare the Pickering lotion for improving the flotation effect of aphanitic graphite. The flotation enrichment efficiencies(α) between conventional collector and β-cyclodextrin/kerosene Pickering emulsion are compared. The enhancement mechanism of the flotation performance of aphanitic graphite by the β-cyclodextrin/kerosene Pickering emulsion is discussed from the perspectives of the distribution of zeta potential,the oil droplet size and the contact angle. The results show that the Pickering emulsion prepared by an appropriate β-cyclodextrin dosage can improve the flotation enrichment efficiency of aphanitic graphite. The main reason is that the kerosene droplet size in the Pickering emulsion is significantly reduced,which promotes the spread of kerosene on the surface of graphite particles and improves the hydrophobicity. However,the Pickering emulsion prepared by excessive β-cyclodextrin dosage reduces the flotation enrichment efficiency of aphanitic graphite and deteriorates the flotation performance.