Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
NSU scientists have created a prototype catalyst based on bentonite clay, which will find application in organic synthesis, specifically in catalyzing alkylation reactions, and potentially in refining petroleum products and vegetable oils. The high surface acidity and accessibility of the catalyst's acid sites improve product yields and selectivity for specific compounds in alkylation reactions, while also increasing purification efficiency and the catalyst's service life in refining petroleum products and vegetable oils. The developed catalyst will be an alternative to more expensive foreign analogues, the supply of which is currently difficult. The project won a grant from the federal "Student Startup" competition.
Bentonite is a natural clay mineral that swells 14-16 times upon hydration. This results in the formation of a dense gel that prevents further moisture penetration. Its high adsorption capacity, plasticity, chemical resistance, and ability to form viscous solutions make it indispensable in industrial production, construction, and many other industries.
Currently, there is no similar domestically produced catalyst for fine organic synthesis on the Russian market. Foreign-made analogues exist, but they are quite expensive and difficult to source. However, our country has an excellent raw material base for producing this catalyst—estimated reserves of bentonite clay in Russia amount to over 340 million tons. There is also strong demand from industrial enterprises, including those involved in the purification of petroleum products and vegetable oils from unwanted impurities.
"The product we're developing will not only match foreign analogues in terms of properties, but will even surpass them in some respects: for example, it will have an extended service life thanks to its regeneration capability (the ability to calcinate with virtually complete restoration of the activated clay's original properties). We're creating an affordable, stable, and highly active catalyst based on an inexpensive raw material—bentonite clay—by modifying it. We're implementing modification in three ways: increasing porosity (the number of voids in the material available for reaction); increasing the number of acidic sites, which are the key catalytic site; and introducing additional catalytically active sites by growing "pillars" of Al and Zr oxides between the clay layers. The combination of these approaches will ensure high activity and stability of the resulting catalyst," explained Ramis Zhitkeev, project manager.
Ramis Zhitkeev, a fifth-year student at NSU's Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS), began working on the project about a year ago, alongside his thesis, under the guidance of his supervisor, PhD Artem Poryvaev. The project team also includes Alexander Efremov, a graduate student at NSU's FNS. Currently, a laboratory method for activating the initial clay has been developed, a prototype has been produced, and tests have been conducted in model chemical reactions. The team plans to further refine the prototype and move on to scaling it up.
The primary application of the material being developed is the purification of petroleum products from olefins, but it can also be used to catalyze alkylation reactions, which are fundamental in organic synthesis. The development of a catalyst for this application is the primary focus of the startup project.
"In the initial phase, we plan to produce small batches of the catalyst, so we're targeting research organizations and companies engaged in the production of micro- and small-scale chemicals. We then plan to scale up production to meet the needs of industrial segments that use acid-activated clays, specifically oil refineries. Most clays used have a relatively short service life, which opens up opportunities for the development and implementation of our technologies due to the regeneration capabilities of our product. Another potential application is the purification of vegetable oils, which faces similar challenges with the clays used," Ramis explained.
The team plans to use the grant funds to purchase reagents and equipment, launch a website, and lease premises. Ultimately, they plan to establish a large-scale production facility for high-tech acid-activated clays.
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