Infrared spectral study of species formed on malachite surface by adsorption from aqueous salicylaldoxime solution

The adsorption of salicylaldoxime from aqueous solution by malachite has been studied and the nature of the adsorbed species has been determined by infrared spectroscopy. At low surface coverage, a basic salt is observed whereas the bis-salicylaldoximato-copper II complex is formed when tridimensional condensation of the adsorbate occurs on the surface. At this stage the surface becomes hydrophobic allowing the mineral to be floated. The kinetics of the adsorption process is first order with respect to the salicylaldoxime concentration. The mechanism of this process is discussed in the light of the spectroscopic results.