A review of lepidolite flotation collectors: Fundamentals, applications and perspectives

The rapid advancement of modern science and technology, coupled with the recent surge in new-energy electric vehicles, has significantly boosted lithium demand. This has heightened attention on the rational development and efficient utilization of lepidolite as a lithium source. Therefore, processes for the flotation of lepidolite have been studied in depth, particularly the development and use of lepidolite flotation collectors and the mechanism of action of the collectors on the lepidolite surface. Based on the crystal structure characteristics of lepidolite minerals, this review focused on the application of anionic collectors, amine cationic collectors (primary amines, quaternary ammonium salts, ether amines and Gemini amines), and combined collectors on the flotation behavior of lepidolite, as well as the adsorption mechanisms. New directions and technologies for the controllable flotation of lepidolite were proposed, including process improvement, reagent synthesis and mechanistic research. The analysis demonstrated the need for further study of the complex environment inside the lepidolite and pulp. Through modern analytical and detection methods, along with quantum chemical calculations, the research on reagents for the flotation of lepidolite has been expanded providing new concepts and references for the efficient flotation recovery and utilization of lepidolite.