Inhibitory effect of three phenacyl derivatives on the oxidation of sphalerite (ZnS) in air-equilibrated acidic solution

Abstract Three phenacyl derivatives have been investigated as potential inhibitors for the aqueous oxidation of sphalerite (ZnS) in air-equilibrated solutions of HCl (pH 2.5 and 25 °C) using potentyodynamic polarization, aqueous batch experiments, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman scattering and quantum chemical calculations. Findings show that the studied phenacyl derivatives are inhibitors of sphalerite aqueous oxidation. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the adsorption of phenacyl derivatives on ZnS is energetically favorable and accounts for the observed inhibiting effects.