Comparative study on high-voltage nanosecond pulses and dielectric barrier discharge effects on surface morphology and physico-chemical properties of natural pyrrhotite

In this paper we used analytical electron microscopy, potentiometric titration (electrode potential), sorption and flotation measurements and other methods to study changes in the surface morphology, electrochemical, and physicochemical properties of the natural pyrrhotite exposed to nonthermal action of the repetitive nanosecond high-power electromagnetic pulses and low-temperature plasma of dielectric barrier discharge in air at atmospheric pressure. As a result of exposure to high-voltage nanosecond pulses, a sharp shift in the electrode potential of pyrrhotite to the region of negative values caused a decrease in the sorption of the anionic collector on the mineral, a decrease in the hydrophobicity of the surface and flotation of the mineral was due to an increase in the content of oxidized ferric iron on the mineral surface. Dielectric barrier discharge treatment caused the shift of the electrode potential to the region of negative values (–60 mV) in the range of pH 9.7-12, which causes the effect of a decrease in the sorption and flotation activity of pyrrhotite. The advantages of using the short-term (10-30 seconds) energy impacts for structural and chemical modification of the surface and physicochemical properties of sulfide minerals of iron are shown.