The study investigates the structural, thermal, and adsorption properties of natural diatomite and its modified forms (thermally and acid-treated) for oil spill remediation. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed amorphous silica alongside crystalline phases. Thermogravimetric analysis showed mass losses at 80–300 °C (removal of adsorbed water) and 430–700 °C (dehydroxylation), with an 8.63% total mass loss. Acid treatment with 0.5N H2SO4 significantly altered the chemical composition, increasing the SiO2 content to 88.8% while dissolving CaO, Na2O, and MnO2. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the removal of hydroxyl groups and structural changes following treatment. Nitrogen adsorption analysis revealed enhanced porosity in the acid-modified diatomite (D-H2SO4-400), showing a BET surface area of 80.0 m2/g and a uniform pore size distribution of 19.0 nm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed preserved skeletal structures with improved porosity. Oil sorption tests showed that D-H2SO4-400 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (optimal at 4 g, 30 µm particle size), achieving maximum uptake within 2 minutes. Overall, these findings confirm that thermal and acid treatments enhance the sorption efficiency of diatomite, making it a promising low-cost and environmentally friendly material for oil spill remediation. © 2025 The Author(s).

The rapid growth of global industry and population has caused severe freshwater shortages, necessitating advanced water treatment and harvesting technologies. Hydrogels, with their three-dimensional network structures and exceptional water absorption properties, are emerging as effective materials for water purification. This study focused on synthesizing a novel copolymer from N-(2-vinyloxyethyl)-N-(2-cyanoethyl)amine (VOECEA) and maleic anhydride (MAh) through radical copolymerization, utilizing azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator in a 30% cyclohexane and 70% ethyl acetate solvent mixture at 70 °C. The copolymers were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Post-synthesis, the nitrile groups were modified using a methanol-water solution containing NH₂OH∙HCl and NaOH at 80 °C. The modified hydrogels demonstrated effective removal of heavy metal ions, including lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺), and organic pollutants such as dyes, showcasing their potential for addressing critical water contamination challenges. © The Author(s) 2025.

Discrete and continuous compartmental models of the spread of the epidemic are considered, taking into account vaccination and limited time spent in groups. Models include the following groups of people: susceptible, contacted, three categories of patients that are undetected, isolated and hospitalized, immunized, vaccinated, and contact vaccinated. Conducted qualitative and quantitative proposed models. The influence of process parameters is investigated. The problems of restoring the coefficients of the equations under consideration are set based on the results of measuring the number of registered patients, vaccinated and deceased. The inverse problems under consideration are solved using the corresponding optimization methods. As an example, the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kazakhstan is being studied. © 2025, Jomard Publishing. All rights reserved.

The increasing demand for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in electronics and electric vehicles has spurred significant research into silicon anodes. This article reviews key structural variants—nanostructured, micron-scale, and three-dimensional (3D) silicon anodes—highlighting their advantages, challenges, and solutions. While nanostructured silicon offers high specific capacity and stability, it suffers from low conductivity, significant volume expansion, and poor cycling life. To address these, strategies such as nanostructural Si designs, introducing conductive/buffering agents (e.g., graphene, MXene), and polymeric binders are discussed. Micron-scale silicon partially alleviates expansion due to its larger size, but still faces challenges in conductivity and cycling stability; morphological optimization strategies are explored. Conversely, 3D structured silicon demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance from its unique architecture, though conductivity and volume expansion remain issues. The review covers state-of-the-art methods, including the above approaches and functional additives, to achieve stable cycling. Finally, future development pathways such as novel structural designs, material innovation, and application prospects are considered, indicating silicon's potential as a robust anode material for future lithium-ion batteries. © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

In this study, we systematically study the efficient production method and electrochemical characteristics of activated carbons (AC) derived from rice husk (RH) and walnut shell (WS). In particular, the effectiveness of physical activation using carbon dioxide (CO2) was investigated and compared with the more common chemical activation method using potassium hydroxide (KOH). The results show that the KOH–activated samples have remarkable specific capacities, reaching 157.8 F g−1 for RH and 152 F g−1 for WS at 1 A g−1. However, the rate capability of AC obtained via KOH decreases significantly as the scanning rate increases, retaining only 51.5% and 68% of their original capacities for RH–KOH and WS–KOH, respectively, at 20 A g–1. In contrast, CO2–activated samples show a superior rate performance with a capacity retention of 75.6% for WS and 80% for RH at the same current density. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis shows that AC obtained via CO2 has a lower charge transfer resistance compared to its KOH counterparts. CO2–activated RH and WS electrodes show Rct values of 0.1 Ω and 0.24 Ω, respectively, indicating improved ion transport kinetics and surface area utilization. These results highlight the importance of activation techniques in tailoring the electrochemical behavior of biomass–derived carbon. This study not only expands the understanding of the interaction between activation, morphology, and performance but also indicates the potential of CO2 activation as an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative. As the field of sustainable energy storage advances, this work provides valuable guidance for the development of high–performance supercapacitor electrodes with less environmental impact. © 2023 by the authors.

Photocatalytic technologies based on silicon (Si-based) nanostructures offer a promising solution for water purification, hydrogen generation, and the conversion of CO2 into useful chemical compounds. This review systematizes the diversity of modern approaches to the synthesis and modification of Si-based photocatalysts, including chemical deposition, metal-associated etching, hydrothermal methods, and atomic layer deposition. Heterostructures, plasmonic effects, and co-catalysts that enhance photocatalytic activity are considered. Particular attention is drawn to the silicon doping of semiconductors, such as TiO2 and ZnO, to enhance their optical and electronic properties. The formation of heterostructures and the evaluation of their efficiency were discussed. Despite the high biocompatibility and availability of silicon, its photocorrosion and limited stability require the development of protective coatings and morphology optimization. The application of machine learning for predicting redox potentials and optimizing photocatalyst synthesis could offer new opportunities for increasing their efficiency. The review highlights the potential of Si-based materials for sustainable technologies and provides a roadmap for further research.

The article presents the analysis of a road network section located in Timiryazevsky District of Northern Administrative District of Moscow. Following the survey, traffic organisation characteristics were obtained, as well as the data on pedestrian flows, traffic density, operational features of public transport and zoning of the area adjacent to the object of study in terms of its use. The obtained results represent the main input parameters for simulation modelling that allows assessing different scenarios for sustainable development of the territory.

In the context of intensified construction and stricter requirements for the energy efficiency of buildings, the use of thermal insulation materials and technologies is becoming particularly important. One promising area in this field is the use of thermal insulation mixtures, which are versatile, adaptable, and highly reliable in operation. Mixtures based on fillers with a porous structure and materials that impart thermal insulation properties, which provide higher thermal insulation properties, are of great interest. However, the development of dry thermal insulation mixtures is hampered by insufficient study of their physical, mechanical, and operational characteristics. This article presents the results of research work on the development and study of dry building thermal insulation mixtures. A distinctive feature of the work is the creation of a composition of dry building thermal insulation mixtures based on local raw materials, such as diatomite, its thermal modification at a temperature of 900 °C, the use of expanded perlite sand, lime, and Portland cement. Research into the properties of modified diatomite has shown that its surface after thermal treatment differs from the surface of unburned diatomite in that it becomes more active and has a 3–4 times higher increase in strength. Modified diatomite and expanded perlite sand have low thermal conductivity, and this property was used in the creation of building thermal insulation mixtures, which was confirmed by research, as the thermal conductivity coefficient ranged from 0.128 to 0.152 W/m °C. The developed dry thermal insulation lime–cement mixture is intended for both interior and exterior finishing works, which is confirmed by the results obtained for determining the frost resistance of the solution and the frost resistance of the contact zone, and corresponds to the F35 grade and has a strength of up to 3.59 MPa. © 2025 by the authors.

Abstract Climate change, which is caused by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, poses a serious threat to humanity, impacting economies, societies, and the environment. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, is responsible for climate change and thus must be reduced. Carbon capture, conversion, and storage (CCUS) technology, which involves catalytic, photocatalytic, and electrocatalytic conversions, is a promising method for reducing CO2 emissions and converting CO2 into valuable products. Recent advances in catalytic, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic reduction of CO2 have highlighted the potential environmental and economic benefits of these technologies. However, the practical application of these techniques is challenging and requires scientific research and engineering efforts to develop efficient materials capable of simultaneously capturing CO2 and converting it into valuable products. Therefore, this review presents a comprehensive analysis of various catalytic systems for CO2 capture and conversion. This review aims to identify the advantages and limitations of catalytic systems for CO2 capture and conversion. In addition, the identified challenges and future prospects in the application of the proposed methods are outlined. Thus, this article covers the current trends and perspectives in the field of combating climate change through efficient CO2 management. © 2024 The Authors

The article provides a detailed examination of public-private partnerships between Satbayev University and drilling tool manufacturer SK Geoservice LLP. It begins by discussing the underlying reasons for this collaboration, such as the demand for innovation and the advancement of drilling tool production. Subsequently, the article analyzes the partners' interactions and their respective roles in enhancing the design and production processes of drilling tool manufacturing. Successful instances of the university's research groups' scientific endeavors being implemented by drilling tool manufacturing experts from the private sector are cited, indicating a high level of cooperation and mutual benefit. The article concludes by highlighting the partnership's positive impact on the drilling tools market's development, private entrepreneurship support and growth in the region, and the training of highly skilled personnel. It suggests that these outcomes create new opportunities for further cooperation and growth. Overall, the article underscores the significance of public-private partnerships in advancing science and technology and advocates for their continued deepening and expansion in Kazakhstan. It also notes that such partnerships contribute to enhancing the quality of education in drilling-related fields and bolstering the competitiveness of Kazakhstani companies in the global market.