Adsorption science

In adsorption science, our work is notably diverse and impactful. Our research has significantly focused on the sorption of metal anions, radionuclides, pharmaceuticals, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, and organic dyes using mineral and organic materials with increased hydrophobicity and stability, addressing environmental contamination issues. Using natural and modified zeolites and clay minerals, iron, manganese, aluminum oxides and hydroxides, diatomite, bog iron ores, ochres, and calcium carbonates, we have extensively researched the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solutions. The work contributes to the field of adsorption science and provides practical solutions for removing harmful compounds from water, a crucial aspect of environmental protection and public health. Our research extends to investigating natural and fly ash-based zeolitic materials and their composites. The studies are critical for understanding the diverse properties of these materials and their applications in environmental remediation, showcasing our innovative approach to material science and its environmental applications.

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Material functionalization

Material functionalization is a transformative concept and practice within materials science and engineering. It involves modifying the properties of materials by introducing functional groups, chemical moieties, or nanoscale structures to enhance or introduce specific functionalities. This process is driven by the desire to tailor materials for particular applications, optimizing their performance in various fields such as electronics, medicine, energy storage, catalysis, etc. Our work in material functionalization focuses on developing advanced materials for environmental applications, particularly in sorption and remediation. A key aspect of our work involves effectively functionalizing sorbent materials to absorb pollutants, including organic and inorganic compounds. This includes (i) characterizing and modifying fly ash to enhance their adsorption capabilities, (ii) modification of mineral materials using surfactant compounds, (iii) 3D printing of sorbents and catalysts using the Direct Ink Writing (DIW) method, (iv) synthesis of flotation-sorption membranes produced by the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method, (v) granulation of bulk materials to obtain sorption materials in flow systems of wastewater and gas streams. The research extends to the innovative functionalization techniques of mineral materials, integrating interdisciplinary studies to establish new trends in material science.

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Mineral technology

Mineral technology in our research involves extracting and processing valuable minerals from their ores and the products used. It plays a critical role in the mining industry by transforming mineral waste into refined products, ensuring the efficient recovery of valuable materials while minimizing environmental impact. The overarching goal is to extract and refine minerals economically for various industrial applications. Critical aspects of mineral technology in our research group include (i) separation techniques consisting of gravity separation, magnetic separation, froth flotation, (ii) smelting to convert extracted minerals into a more refined form; smelting involves heating the concentrate to high temperatures to separate the metal from impurities, (iii) hydrometallurgy including leaching and solvent extraction, (iv) tailings management – the residues generated during mineral processing, contain leftover minerals and other substances; we use various techniques, such as tailings ponds and sustainable disposal methods, (v) environmental considerations included the adoption of cleaner technologies, waste reduction, and adherence to strict environmental regulations, (vi) mineral economics to analyze market trends, pricing, and cost-effectiveness to ensure the profitability and sustainability of mining projects.

Industrial wastes

Our focus lies in the transformative use and management of mineral industrial wastes. Our experiences and research encompass a range of innovative practices to enhance sustainability and efficiency in mining communities. We utilize mineral waste as a source for construction and industrial applications. Our team is dedicated to managing, recycling, and reusing industrial wastes, exploring comprehensive research on recent advances in this domain. A significant area of our work involves using combustion by-products from the utility power industry and waste generated in water treatment and purification processes. We are studying their use as sorption materials and as additives to construction materials. We analyze recycling and reuse practices in mining and metallurgical wastes, aiming to overcome environmental challenges associated with these industries. Our research includes studying the effects of mining waste extracts and devising methods for pollution prevention and management in the mining industry. Investigating the usability of mining wastes in various industrial applications forms a vital part of our research, highlighting their potential in diverse fields.