Nanobubbles promote the flotation of fine-grained minerals. In the associated mechanism, the aggregation of fine particles is first promoted, which increases the probability of collision between particles and bubbles. However, the interaction between nanobubbles and mineral particles is often neglected, especially when the surface properties of the nanobubbles are modified by flotation collectors. In this study, the interaction mechanism between nanobubbles and the mica surface is investigated by nanoparticle tracking analysis, zeta potential measurement, and atomic force microscopy. The results reveal that the hydrophobic group of sodium oleate points toward the inside of the nanobubble and the hydrophilic group faces outward after the interaction of sodium oleate molecules and nanobubbles. A surfactant micelle with nanobubbles as the core is formed, thus considerably reducing the concentration of sodium oleate to form micelles. The adsorption of the modified nanobubbles on the mineral surface is carried out by the specific adsorption of the exposed hydrophilic group and the mineral surface. This adsorption method is superior to the hydrophobic interaction between the nanobubbles and the hydrophobic mineral surface. Further, the nanobubbles are highly selective for the activation sites on the mineral surface in the adsorption mode. This study will help understand the interaction between nanobubbles and collectors to further apply nanobubbles to treat fine-grained mineral particles.
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