Electrokinetic properties of Cassiterite

Abstract

Simultaneous ζ-potential and surface conductivity measurements have been made on three samples of cassiterite (SnO₂) in water, in solutions of HCl, alkalis, inorganic salts, and the flotation collector reagent sodium cetyl sulphate. It is probable that the intrinsic surface charge of cassiterite in water is negative and that it is due to surface ionization as a very weak acid. Two of the solids possessed a negative surface whilst the positive charge of the third seemed to be due to ionization of a strongly basic impurity. Those samples having a negative charge showed little reaction with sodium cetyl sulphate alone, but appreciable adsorption of cetyl sulphate ion took place in acid solution. On the other hand, the sample with the positive surface reacted with cetyl sulphate ion even in the absence of acid. In all cases adsorption of cetyl sulphate was completely reversible.