Ozone-Oxidized Starch

Sharper selective depression

Ozone oxidation tunes starch to render hematite hydrophilic even in amine flotation, improving depression without sacrificing flocculation—suited for fine hematite reverse flotation.

Zhang, Ming · Xu, Zeping · Zhang, Qin · Zusu, Dan · Hongqi, Fu · Yao, Wei

Minerals Engineering 2023

Advantages

Micro-flotation: OS depressed hematite more than native starch

Lower contact angle, more hydrophilic surface (with amine collector)

Flocculation performance comparable to native starch

Ozone treatment increased acidity, solubility, and depolymerized starch into low-MW derivatives