Acid and Thermal Activation of Clay Separated from Kaoline  for Uranium Purification

G. Maldybayev; N. Gerassyova; R. Sharipov; A. Zhangabayeva; El-Sayed Negim; A. Khambarqyzy; M. Kylyshkanov; L. Bekbayeva; U. Balgimbayeva; Moshera Samy

doi:10.31643/2028/6445.01

Authors

G. Maldybayev Kazakh British Technical University
N. Gerassyova LLC Deep Core Analytics
R. Sharipov Kazakh British Technical University
A. Zhangabayeva Kazakh British Technical University
El-Sayed Negim Kazakh British Technical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4370-8995
A. Khambarqyzy Kazakh British Technical University
M. Kylyshkanov Kazakh British Technical University
L. Bekbayeva Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
U. Balgimbayeva Kazakh British Technical University
Moshera Samy National Research Centre

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2028/6445.01

Keywords:

clay, acid activation, thermal activation, uranium.

Abstract

Clay minerals are commonly used as adsorbents due to their wide availability, large specific surface area, and cation exchange capabilities, making them suitable for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater. This study investigated the activation of clay by acid and thermal treatment to obtain an adsorbent for the purification of uranium from impurities such as iron and magnesium. Acid modification of clay samples was carried out with sulfuric acid (15%) at a temperature of 80–90 °C for 3 hours. While the activation of the clay using the thermal process was performed at 600–650 °C for 12–24 hours. X-Ray Diffraction, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to analyse the clay's chemical composition and structural changes before and after activation. FTIR identified free OH groups and hydrated SiO2. EPR showed a high level of paramagnetic centers linked to structural defects and oxygen vacancies, which contribute to the material's strong adsorption and catalytic activity. After acid treatment, the clay particles exhibited a notable rise in specific surface area, expanding from 35.2 m²/g to 342.5 m²/g. Additionally, the specific pore volume grew substantially, increasing from 0.024 cm³/g to 0.30 cm³/g.

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Author Biographies

G. Maldybayev, Kazakh British Technical University

PhD, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

N. Gerassyova, LLC Deep Core Analytics

Doctoral student, LLC Deep Core Analytics, 050059, al-Farabi av., 17/1 b5B, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

R. Sharipov, Kazakh British Technical University

PhD, Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

A. Zhangabayeva, Kazakh British Technical University

Researcher, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

El-Sayed Negim, Kazakh British Technical University

PhD, Professor, School of Materials Science and Green Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

A. Khambarqyzy, Kazakh British Technical University

Researcher, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

M. Kylyshkanov, Kazakh British Technical University

Doctor of Physico-Mathematical Sciences, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

L. Bekbayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

PhD, Associate Professor, National Nanotechnology Open Laboratory, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 050040, Al-Farabi av., 71, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

U. Balgimbayeva, Kazakh British Technical University

PhD, Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Technologies, Kazakh British Technical University, 050000, St. Tole bi, 59, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Moshera Samy, National Research Centre

PhD, Polymers and Pigments Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt.

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