Utilization of Flotation Wastewater for Metal Xanthate Gel Synthesis and Its Role in Polyaniline-Based Supercapacitor Electrode Fabrication.

The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of using flotation wastewater from copper-porphyry ore processing to synthesize a gel that serves as a precursor for a polymer nanocomposite used in supercapacitor electrode fabrication. These wastewaters-characterized by high acidity and elevated concentrations of metal cations (Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe), sulfates, and organic reagents such as xanthates, oil (20 g/t ore), flotation frother (methyl isobutyl carbinol), and pyrite depressant (CaO, 500-1000 g/t), along with residues from molybdenum flotation (sulfuric acid, sodium hydrosulfide, and kerosene)-are byproducts of copper-porphyry gold-bearing ore beneficiation. The reduction of Ni powder in the wastewater induces the degradation and formation of a gel that captures both residual metal ions and organic compounds-particularly xanthates-which play a crucial role in the subsequent steps.