Create precious ingredients from clay

With the topic " Transforming zeolite materials from natural Vietnam clay ", the research group of Hanoi University of Technology has opened many new directions for economic development and environmental improvement. From the breakthrough with the initial six applications, the people who implemented the project put zeolit ​​into a subject and determined to "germinate" an adjacent research force.

Zeolite is a micro-capillary, light porous material with a large ion exchange capacity and has excellent adsorption capacity. This material has been present in the world since the 60s of the 20th century but is mainly synthesized from pure chemicals. Therefore, despite good quality, the cost of zeolit ​​is very high and difficult to apply.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has to completely import this material, especially in the petrochemical industry. If the research is successful, we will take advantage of the abundant domestic clay resources, reduce costs, and help domestic producers save a considerable amount of funding.

Prof., Doctor Hoang Trong Yem (left) and Dr. Ta Ngoc Don next to the production zeolite products of Hanoi University of Technology.(Photo: ND)

It is difficult to tell the difficulties that the research team has experienced. To find a gram of that "versatile" material, Dr. Ta Ngoc Don, along with those who worked on the subject, had to study tons of clay for 10 years. Three labs on the fourth floor of the C1 of organic Chemistry, Hanoi University of Science and Technology every day resonated, the sound of boiling boisterous. " Zeolite teachers and students " are engrossed with test tubes and chemical pots. Both lecturers and students must study step by step. Each step succeeds, each new discovery teacher and pupil jubilantly record and copy. The students mature each time they conduct the experiment.

Finally, the study of transforming Vietnamese kaolin mineral clay into zeolite for aquaculture has been successful. Many applications zeolite has opened up a way for aquaculture, agriculture and many other areas.

The success of the project has brought about six broad applications of zeolite materials converted from clay minerals. In aquaculture, zeolite can clean the aquarium . In agriculture, zeolite has the effect of improving soil. Testing on summer-autumn crop in Thanh Hoa in 2005, this material has benefited farmers about 600,000 VND / ha. In breeding zeolites help increase the yield and quality of livestock. In the manufacture of clean fuels, zeolite produces ether-vomit with concentrations above 99.5% from low concentration alcohol. In environmental protection, zeolite helps treat water and air pollution . In filtration - petrochemical, zeolite acts as an adsorbent and a chemical conversion catalyst .

Dr. Ta Ngoc Don always thinks that research must be applied to training and application, especially with the topic of zeolite. Because if successful, zeolite will bring practical and long-term benefits to life.

Therefore, since 1998, in order to implement the idea of ​​Prof. Hoang Trong Yêm, chaired by the research team led by Dr. Ta Ngoc Don, there have been hundreds of officials and students directly participating. topic of synthesizing zeolite from natural clay minerals. Students study mainly in laboratories. The theoretical basis of the research is four inventions, utility solutions, 69 scientific papers published at home and abroad over time. In the beginning, there was no formal curriculum and the necessary conditions of a subject. When the research topic is successful, its implementers realize that they must immediately focus on the adjacent class training because this research direction has many prospects and it is very necessary for the development of country.

Under the guidance of teachers, two groups of scientific research students won the first prize in the Ministry in 2002-2003, the first prize VIFOTEC students, the Gold Medal and the WIPO Award 2003 for this topic.

Le Thu Hanh