A novel surfactant N,N-Bis(2-hydroxypropyl)laurylamine (NHPA) was synthesized and utilized as a collector in the flotation of quartz. The properties of NHPA were explored. The adsorption behavior of NHPA on quartz surface was investigated by FT-IR spectra studies, zeta potential measurements and XPS analysis. Flotation experiments were investigated the flotation performance and verified the adsorption behavior of NHPA on quartz surface. The results of FT-IR spectra and zeta potential measurements demonstrated that the adsorption between NHPA and quartz surface was mainly through electrostatic force and hydrogen bond force, which was further confirmed by XPS analysis. Flotation results showed that NHPA exhibits excellent floatability and selectivity on quartz over a pH range of 4.50-7.00, which confirmed zeta potential measurements. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.