Development of New Zeolite Materials for Production of Paper
Project Status: 3 Approved without Funding
Duration in months: 36 months
Objective
In modern conditions scientific researches, which provide improvement of characteristics of paper as packing material by the use of various fillers are progressing dynamically. Designation of such paper is transporting and storing of agricultural food products and industrial designation products. Lately various forms of natural zeolites, and in particular, clinoptilolite has been intensely used as a filler in paper industry. This is closely associated with adsorption, ion-exchange and molecular-sieve properties of zeolites. Traditional mineral fillers used up to now don’t satisfy demands of paper technology, while the artificial fillers are not acceptable because of their high self-cost. The project provides obtaining of new zeolite fillers for paper by direct chemical treatment of natural zeolites in aggressive media (treatment by alkali and acid) (first task) and by ion-exchange method (second task). The project provides application of clinoptilolite of Georgian and Kazakhstan origin, Rkoni -CtR and Chankanay- CtCh sectors. Limits of application of clinoptilolite with the view of its decathionation and dealumination will be determined, and zeolite absorption capacity and bleaching rate will be defined. Direct chemical treatment of zeolite will be realized by treatment of natural zeolite by acid and alkali and by complex approach (thermal –acidic treatment); also by the use of ion-exchange mechanism. The obtained interim and target products will be characterized by the use of methods of chemical analysis, X-ray-diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermography and others. Relevant technical equipment will be provided by Petre Melikishvili Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry of Ivan Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, P. Melikishvili Physical and Organic Chemistry Institute (leading institution) and M.Auezov South Kazakhstan State University –SKSU (Participant institution ) . The third task is technical provision for obtaining pilot laboratory lots of new zeolite materials, and analysis of environment protection situation for wide-scale production of new materials. Resolution of these tasks, as a whole, will contribute to creation of zeolite materials to be used as paper filler, on the base of natural zeolites of Georgia and Kazakhstan . As a result of successful implementation of the project, the methods of obtaining new zeolite filler by direct chemical treatment will defined; new information will be acquired about processes of chemical treatment of zeolites and about physical and chemical properties of the obtained materials. With the scientific and commercial point of view interesting are the new methods, enabling to widen paper filler assortment, as well as the new efficient zeolite fillers obtained by chemical method, to be used diversely in paper manufacture.
Since former “weapons” scientists took part in this Project implementation and because it is exceptionally peaceful the Project meets the ISTC goals. Adherence to these objectives can be attained by planned wide involvement of scientists and participating institutions into international scientific community through providing information on the Project during international conferences and workshops.
As a result of the project implementation a number of problems will be solved, including those that are related to the purposes and objectives of the ISTC, i.e. to establish the scientific links with potential collaborators and other specialists in the field of zeolites from ISTC founders’ countries for further long-term collaborations in various international projects.
Project team is equipped with knowledge and experience accumulated for years in the sphere of synthesis of zeolite materials, their modification, study of their properties and sphere of their application. Competency of researchers corresponds to that needed for resolution of project objectives.
