Disposable Electrochemical Sensor for Rapid Determination of Ethyl Xanthate in the Mining Industry

Abstract

Xanthate is a widely used reagent in sulfide mineral flotation. A simple and reliable method is presented for the direct monitoring of xanthate in flotation baths and their effluents, as a tool for their reconditioning, and reducing their environmental impact. For this purpose, screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPE) were modified with a polyelectrolyte-surfactant matrix which was able to adsorb the xanthate, whose concentration is determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) following the change in the electron transfer resistance of ferrocyanide after a pre-oxidation treatment. Linear ranges from 0.25 to 1 μM and 15 to 100 μM were determined for effluents and flotation baths, respectively. A mechanism for the electron transfer process is proposed based on Quartz crystal microbalance, IR and cyclic voltammetry studies.