Effect of non-ionic frothers on bubble characteristics in flotation: a review

The properties and synthesis of frothers have been the subject of scientific research for over a century owing to their extensive use in various industries. Given that the characteristics of bubbles are dependent on the nature of frother, such as in flotation slime, it is crucial to control the dosage of frother to achieve optimal effects. Excessive dosage leads to reagent waste whereas insufficient dosage results in resource waste, both hindering carbon emission reduction efforts. This paper provides a comprehensive review of existing literature regarding the impact of frothers on bubble behavior. The available literature demonstrates that the bubble size and velocity decrease as frother concentration increases. The underlying reasons for this phenomenon are discussed extensively. Furthermore, the relationship between bubble characteristics and hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB) of frothers is examined. Finally, a correlation between bubble energy at critical coalescence concentration and HLB is established. These valuable insights for further investigation into frother properties. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).