title: Insights into the relation between adhesion force and chalcopyrite-bioleaching by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
abstract: This paper presents a study on the relation between bacterial adhesion force and bioleaching rate of chalcopyrite, which sheds light on the influence of interfacial interaction on bioleaching behavior. In our research, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) were adapted to grow with FeSO4 · 7H2O, element sulfur or chalcopyrite. Then, surface properties of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and chalcopyrite were analyzed by contact angle, zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Adhesion force between bacteria and chalcopyrite was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Attachment and bioleaching behaviors were also monitored. The results showed that A. ferrooxidans adapted with chalcopyrite exhibited the strongest adhesion force to chalcopyrite and the highest bioleaching rate. Culture adapted with sulfur bacteria took second place and FeSO4 · 7H2O-adapted bacteria were the lowest. Bioleaching rate and bacterial attachment capacity were positively related to bacterial adhesion force, which is affected by the nature of energy source. According to this work, the attachment of bacteria to chalcopyrite surface is one of the most important aspects that influence the bioleaching process of chalcopyrite.
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Jianyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China. Electronic address: qianfenwang@126.com.
authors.forename: Qianfen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Universität Duisburg-Essen, Biofilm Centre, Aquatische Biotechnologie, Universitätsstraße, 545141 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China. Electronic address: zhujy@csu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wenqing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Xueduan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Yuehua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; Key Laboratory of Biometallury of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
authors.forename: Guanzhou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force
chemical_list: C012819:chalcopyrite; D003300:Copper
keywords: AFM; Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans; Adhesion force; Bioleaching rate; Interfacial interaction; Mineral