This study explores the sorption capacity and field application of activated carbons (ACs) derived from plant residues for the remediation of oil-contaminated soils. ACs were prepared from rice husks, reed stalks, pine sawdust and wheat straw using two-stage pyrolysis and chemical activation with potassium hydroxide. The structural and physicochemical properties of these ACs were analyzed using BET surface area measurements, SEM analysis, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Sorption experiments at room temperature demonstrated that AC from rice husks (OSL) exhibited the highest sorption capacities for gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel, with values of 9.3 g/g, 9.0 g/g and 10.1 g/g, respectively. These results are attributed to the well-developed microporous and mesoporous structures of OSL, as confirmed by SEM images and a BET surface area of 2790 m²/g. Field tests conducted at the “Zhanatalap” oil deposit showed that the ACs effectively reduced the oil content in contaminated soils from 79.2 g/kg to as low as 2.6 g/kg, achieving a purification degree of up to 67% within 16 days. This study highlights the critical role of structural properties, such as porosity and graphitization degree, in enhancing the sorption efficiency of ACs.

One of the priority trends of carbon nanotechnology is creation of nanocomposite systems. Such carbon nanostructured composites were produced using - raw materials based on the products of agricultural waste, such as grape stones, apricot stones, rice husk. These products have a - wide spectrum of application and can be obtained in large quantities. The Institute of Combustion Problems has carried out the work on synthesis of the nanostructured carbon sorbents for multiple applications including the field of biomedicine. The article presents the data on the synthesis and physico-chemical properties of carbonaceous sorbents using physicochemical methods of investigation: separation and purification of biomolecules; isolation of phytohormone - fusicoccin; adsorbent INGO-1 in the form of an adsorption column for blood detoxification, oral (entero) sorbent - INGO-2; the study of efferent and probiotic properties and sorption activity in regard to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), new biocomposites - based on carbonized rice husk (CRH) and cellular microorganisms; the use of CRH in wound treatment. A new material for blood detoxication (INGO-1) has been obtained. Adsorption of p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate has shown that active carbon adsorbent can remove clinically significant level of p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate from human plasma. Enterosorbent INGO-2 possesses high adsorption activity in relation to Gram-negative bacteria and their endotoxins. INGO-2 slows down the growth of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, without having a negative effect on bifido and lactobacteria. The use of enterosorbent INGO-2 for sorption therapy may provide a solution to a complex problem - detoxication of the digestive tract and normalization of the intestinal micro ecology. The immobilized probiotic called "Riso-lact" was registered at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a biologically active food additive. The developed technology is patented and provides production of the medicine in the form of freeze-dried biomass immobilized in vials.

This article presents the results of the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials: Nanoscale materials obtained by carbonization of waste agricultural products (apricot kernel, walnut, rice husk). The results of physico-chemical characteristics of the obtained nanomaterials.

This article presents the results of the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials: Nanoscale materials obtained by carbonization of waste agricultural products (apricot kernel, Greek walnut (GW), rice husk). The results of physico-chemical characteristics of the obtained nanomaterials. Physico-chemical parameters of the synthesis of carbonized sorbents based on plant raw material are investigated along with the properties of these sorbents. The data of FTIR, ESR spectroscopy & BET-method, as well as electron microscopy are reported. It is stated that carbonized sorbents possess high specific surface area and porosity. Carboxylic, carbonyl, hydroxyl groups are detected on the surface of the synthesized sorbents. Separate fusicoccine and similar biostimulators effectively; remove LPS-endotoxines from blood plasma selectively. They may be used as carriers to introduce probiotics into intestine thanks to formation of stable colonies on their developed surface. A method of preparation of honeycomb monoliths from carbonized rice husk with developed mesoporous structure via modification of the porous structure by silica leaching has been developed.

Combustion of hydroxylammonium nitrate (95 wt.% HAN) ‒ water solution in presence of high specific surface area activated carbons is investigated in a constant-pressure bomb within the pressure range of 1‒6 MPa. The linear burning rate increased for the system of HAN admixed with activated carbons compared to those of the HAN alone. Moreover, the thermal decomposition of HAN (95 wt.%) ‒ water solution spiked with activated carbons was assessed by DTA – TG method. In the presence of activated carbons, the ability to trigger the decomposition at a lower temperature (86 °C vs 185 °C) was observed. The volatile products formed in the course of thermal decomposition of HAN, spiked with activated carbons were characterized by electron ionization mass spectrometry analysis. Primary products of HAN decomposition: m/z = 33 (NH2OH) and m/z = 63 (HNO3), which are further responsible for the formation of secondary products such as N2O, NO, HNO2, NO2, O2 etc. Significant reduction of NOx emissions during thermal decomposition of HAN (95 wt.%) ‒ water solution was observed (ca. 30%) in presence of activated carbons.

In this paper, the modification of natural clinoptilolite and mordenite zeolites from Almaty using acid treatment is addressed for the purposes of improving adsorption performance and for drinking water purification. Structural chemical transformation was characterized by the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. Acid treatment led to a partial dealumination that was responsible for an increase in the number of surface defects and micropores, improvement in ion exchange capacity, and selectivity toward heavy metals. Additionally, modifications greatly enhance the uptake capacities of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and As³⁺. The clinoptilolite post-modification removal efficiencies reached 94%, 86%, and 84%, respectively, while mordenite zeolites achieved 95%, 90%, and 87% removal efficiencies, respectively. The enhancement of performance was related to the increase in surface area and active sites for ion exchange, verified from analysis of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. The use of different Bhatt and Kothari methods has revealed that adsorption processes followed Langmuir isotherm models for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, whereas As³⁺ adsorption was better described by the Freundlich isotherm model. However, second-order kinetics indicate that chemisorption was the dominant mechanism. Such evidence indicates spontaneity and an endothermic process, as shown from thermodynamic studies. Results showed that modified zeolites indeed had a high degree of reusability, with over 80% of the adsorption capacity retained even after five cycles. Acid-modified zeolites can provide cheaper, greener methods of purification, generating only negligible secondary waste when compared to conventional methods of water purification, for example, activated carbon and membrane filtration. Results from this study proved that modified clinoptilolite and mordenite zeolites have the potential for sustainable heavy metal treatment in drinking water purification systems.