The basic mode of collector action is the adsorption of molecules or ions of reagents at the mineral water interface. It mainly includes molecular adsorption, ion adsorption, semi micelle adsorption and adsorption of reaction products of collectors on mineral surface.

(1) Molecular adsorption. The adsorption of collector molecules dispersed or dissolved in pulp solution on mineral surface. The physical adsorption of non-polar molecules is mainly the adsorption of various hydrocarbon oils; the physical adsorption of polar molecules is mainly the adsorption of the undissolved molecules of xanthate, oleic acid and amine collectors at the solid-liquid interface.

(2) Ion adsorption. The adsorption of collector ions in pulp on mineral surface, such as xanthate adsorption on galena surface at pH > 5, and adsorption of oleic acid collector on calcium bearing minerals (fluorite, calcite, scheelite, etc.).

(3) Semi micellar adsorption. When the concentration of collector is high enough, the non-polar groups of long hydrocarbon chain collectors are adsorbed on the mineral surface and associated to form two-dimensional micelles, which is called "semi micellar adsorption". For example, when dodecylamine is used to flotation quartz, dodecylamine ion adsorption increases with the increase of dodecylamine concentration, and semi micelles are formed on the mineral surface.

(4) The adsorption of reaction products of collector on mineral surface. A series of reactions may occur during the interaction of collectors with other ions or mineral surfaces in the pulp, and some products in the reactions are adsorbed on the mineral surface. For example, xanthate can form hydrocarbon thiocarbonate (Rocos -) and peroxanthate (rocso -) when xanthate acts on the surface of sulfide minerals or oxidizes in pulp. They can be adsorbed on the surface of oxidized minerals and sulfide minerals respectively, resulting in collection.