Study on Influence of Polyethylene Glycol on Dispersion of Pyrite Powder in Aqueous Solution

The influences of three kinds of polyethylene glycol (PEG), namely PEG-200, PEG-1000 and PEG-20000, on the dispersion stability of pyrite powder in aqueous solution were investigated by spectrophotometry. The results indicated that the stability of pyrite powder dispersed in aqueous solution was remarkably dependent upon the molecular weight and content of PEG, pH value of suspension, and ultrasonication power. Among three kinds of polyethylene glycol, PEG-20000 was the most effective additive to improve the dispersion stability and wettability of pyrite powder in water. When 8% PEG-20000 was employed as the dispersant, the best dispersion stability of pyrite powder in aqueous solution could be obtained under the conditions of pH at 5-6 and 100-W ultrasonication power. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis showed that the adsorption between the polyethylene glycol and pyrite ore powder was formed by hydrogen bonding. The adsorption of polyethylene glycol onto the surface of pyrite powder via hydrogen bonding provided a high degree of steric stabilization, which effectively prohibited the aggregation of pyrite powder, and thus the dispersion stability of as-formed aqueous suspension was promoted.