Energy ELEMENTS

Mussatay Yessengeldi Amangeldiyuly

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan 
E-mail: esenshon104@mail.ru

Abstract
This study presents the results of thermochemical synthesis and functional modification of carbon–silicon sorbents derived from rice husks, intended for use as filtering materials with antiseptic properties. Carbonization was carried out in an inert gas atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600 to 900 °C, followed by activation in a flow of carbon dioxide or water vapor. The resulting porous structures were characterized by a high specific surface area (up to 550 m²/g) and a considerable micropore volume. Molecular iodine, chlorhexidine gluconate, and tannin were employed as impregnating agents. Experimental data confirmed the ability of the sorbent to absorb iodine vapors from both gaseous and liquid phases, with a saturation capacity of up to 259 mg/g. The influence of impregnation on the textural properties of the material was investigated: an increase in specific surface area and pore volume was observed upon the introduction of active components. BET analysis demonstrated a total micropore surface area of up to 551 m²/g, confirming the efficiency of the modification for air purification purposes. The developed filtering monoblocks are promising for application in air disinfection systems within enclosed and sanitation-sensitive environments.

Keywords: Carbon–silicon sorbents, carbonization, activation, iodine, antiseptic activity, porous structure, filtering materials, rice husk, adsorption

1. Vallero D. A. (2007) Fundamentals of Air Pollution. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-373615-4.X5000-6
2. Tsoli S., Ploubidis G. B., Kalantzi O. I. (2019) Particulate air pollution and birth weight: A systematic literature review. Atmospheric Pollution Research 10(3):707–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2019.01.016
3. Park D. H., Joe Y. H., …, Hwang J. (2020) Determination of air filter anti-viral efficiency against an airborne infectious virus. Journal of Hazardous Materials 402:122640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122640
4. Roy A., Mishra C., …, Solanki N. (2018) A review of general and modern methods of air purification. Journal of Thermal Engineering 4(5):1801–1815. https://doi.org/10.18186/THERMAL.529054
5. Krigmont H. V. (2023) Development of the disinfecting air filter. Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering 991:351–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34526-539
6. Chen S. L., Chang S. W., …, Chen H. L. (2021) Possible warming effect of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. Communications Earth & Environment 2(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00278-5
7. Sun B., Lin J., …, Sun D. (2022) In situ biosynthesis of biodegradable functional bacterial cellulose for high-efficiency particulate air filtration. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 10(1):419–428. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c07532
8. Al-Attabi, R.; Morsi, Y.; Schütz, J.A.; Cornu, D.; Maghe, M.; Dumée, L.F. Flexible and reusable carbon nano-fibre membranes for airborne contaminants capture. Sci. Total Environ. 2021, 754, 142231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142231
9. Christopherson D. A., Yao W. C., Sedaghat A. R. (2020) High-efficiency particulate air filters in theera of COVID-19: Function and efficacy. Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery 163(1):3–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820941838
10. Lim T. H., Yeo S. Y., Lee S. H. (2018) Multidirectional evaluations of a carbon air filter to verify their lifespan and various performances. Journal of Aerosol Science 123:38–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2018.09.009
11. Gao Y., Tian E., …, Mo J. (2022) Utilizing electrostatic effect in fibrous filters for efficient airborne particles removal: Principles, fabrication, and material properties. Applied Materials Today 27:101369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2022.101369