Advances of Nanotechnology Applications in Mineral Froth Flotation Technology

Controllable generation of interfacial gas structures on the graphite surface by substrate hydrophobicity and gas oversaturation in water

“…Two main gas states of adsorption on solid–water surfaces, spherical surface nanobubbles and flat micropancakes, were found and studied continuously because of their unexpected features and potential applications. 1–3 In view of the unique properties of surface nanobubbles, they are used in mineral floating, 4,5 surface cleaning, 6 and electrochemical process 7 and also inspire more studies. In the past decades, numerous investigations have focused on understanding the super-stability of surface nanobubbles, which is contrary to the expectation of the classical Epstein–Plesset theory, 8–10 and attempted to understand their unexpected long lifespan and large contact angles from experimental and theoretical aspects.…”