Structure-activity relationship and mechanism of hydroxamic acid collectors with tunable linker structures in flotation separation of bastnaesite

Key Points

• Flotation separation was optimized with tunable linker structures, enhancing bastnaesite recovery.
• The study showed a notable increase in bastnaesite flotation performance by 30% with specific linker designs.
• Analysis employed structure-activity relationship methods to determine the best collectors for flotation processes.
• These findings may enable improved mineral recovery techniques for bastnaesite using tailored chemical structures.