Investigation of the production of manganese nanomaterials from fine and low-grade manganese ore by two-stage column flotation technique

This study was carried out to investigate the production of manganese nanomaterials by enriching fine and low-grade manganese ores. Fine and low-grade manganese ore sample was obtained from Balikesir-Mezit-Tumanpinari region in Turkey. Experimental studies were processed in two different routes. In the first method, optimum enrichment conditions were determined by enriching the ore with a two-stage column flotation method. The optimum flotation time obtained for fine and low-grade manganese ore is 10 minutes. The optimum variables obtained from 10 min column flotation are 60 g/dm(3) collector (sodium oleate), 1 g/dm(3) depressant (sodium silicate), 3 g/dm(3) frother (pine oil) and pH 7 (natural pH of manganese ore). Higher-grade MnO2 was obtained at the natural pH value of manganese ore. Under the optimum conditions, the concentrate of 76.55% MnO2 could be recovered by two-stage column flotation from the ore containing 29.9% MnO with the recovery of 90.25%. In the other route, the enriched sample was dissolved and MnCO3 was obtained by using Na2CO3. Then, 400 nm manganese oxide nanorods were produced by roasting MnCO3.