Spodumene is the main solid ore material from which lithium is extracted. Ca²⁺-activated fatty acid flotation is the most commonly used method for processing spodumene. According to the classical activation theory, preadsorbed Ca²⁺ can increase the active sites on the spodumene surface, thereby increasing the adsorption capacity of fatty acid collectors. Interestingly, premixed Ca²⁺ and sodium oleate (NaOL) can also efficiently float spodumene. In this study, the activation mechanism of Ca²⁺ for spodumene flotation with NaOL was explored via UV spectrum analysis, adsorption capacity determination, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that Ca²⁺ and NaOL first formed colloidal complexes in solution and then firmly adsorbed on the spodumene surface, making it hydrophobic and float up. This discovery is an extension and an enrichment of the classical activation theory, and it provides new insights into the understanding of activation mechanism.

锂辉石是提取锂的主要固体矿石材料。Ca ²⁺活化脂肪酸浮选是处理锂辉石最常用的方法。根据经典活化理论，预吸附Ca ²⁺可以增加锂辉石表面的活性位点，从而提高脂肪酸捕收剂的吸附能力。有趣的是，预混的 Ca ²⁺和油酸钠 (NaOL) 也可以有效地漂浮锂辉石。本研究通过紫外光谱分析、吸附容量测定、傅里叶变换红外光谱和X射线光电子能谱研究了Ca ²⁺对NaOL锂辉石浮选的活化机制。结果表明，Ca ²⁺NaOL首先在溶液中形成胶体复合物，然后牢固地吸附在锂辉石表面，使其疏水并上浮。这一发现是对经典激活理论的延伸和丰富，为理解激活机制提供了新的见解。