KazNU Scientists Develop New Nanomaterial to Detect Toxic Compounds in Air, Water, and Soil

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the most dangerous environmental pollutants due to their high mobility and cross-border transport. In the atmosphere, they participate in photochemical reactions that form tropospheric ozone and aerosol particles, while in aquatic ecosystems they disrupt biogeochemical cycles and accumulate in food chains. According to the World Health Organization, deteriorating air quality causes more than 7 million cases of respiratory and cardiovascular disease each year.

Even at low concentrations, many VOCs exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, cause chronic diseases, and negatively affect reproductive health. Traditional analysis methods — liquid-liquid and solid-phase extraction — require toxic solvents and are complex and costly. Developing new tools based on green, highly sensitive sorbents is therefore of particular relevance.

To develop and synthesize new metal-organic framework (MOF) structures for creating highly efficient "Needle Trap" (NTD) devices capable of precisely determining VOC concentrations in air, water, and soil.

For the first time, the project will conduct a comparative study of two MOF types with identical chemical composition but different crystal structures — the classical ZnMOF-74 and the novel ZnMOF-74a. The arrangement of zinc ions in ZnMOF-74a differs from conventional MOF-74, which, according to the project's scientific hypothesis, may enhance coordination with larger analyte molecules. Competitive adsorption mechanisms on the MOF surface will be studied in depth for the first time, with a theoretical prediction model built on a multicomponent Langmuir equation. A universal sampling device suitable for all sample types — air, water, and soil — will be created for the first time, capable of replacing specialized instruments.

The project comprises seven stages: synthesis and characterization of MOFs; design and optimization of NTD devices based on the synthesized MOFs; optimization of sampling parameters for air, water, and soil; development of thermal desorption and GC-MS analysis methods; construction of theoretical adsorption and desorption models; validation of the accuracy and sensitivity of the developed methodology; and field testing on real environmental samples with preparation of a user guide.

ZnMOF-74 and ZnMOF-74a are produced via hydrothermal synthesis, with their structure characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the BET method. The NTD device is fabricated by placing the sorbent inside a 22-gauge stainless steel needle. Active sampling is used for air samples, the Purge & Trap method for water, and an equilibrium method for soil. Analysis is performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while adsorption mechanisms are studied through an extended Langmuir model and calculation of selectivity coefficients.

The project's results can be applied in regions with acute environmental challenges — Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Temirtau, Ust-Kamenogorsk, and Shymkent. The research will be published in international scientific databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science), and a patent listed in the Derwent Innovations Index (Clarivate Analytics) is also planned, strengthening the project's international scientific and technical significance.

The developed technology can be applied by industrial enterprises (KazMunayGas, Tengizchevroil, ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Kazzinc), as well as municipal environmental services and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This will reduce monitoring costs, improve the accuracy and speed of pollution control, and have a positive impact on public health.

At least 1 article in a Q1 Web of Science journal or with a CiteScore percentile of at least 80 in Scopus; at least 1 patent listed in the Derwent Innovations Index (Clarivate Analytics); at least 1-2 articles in journals recommended by KOKSON.

Spanning 36 months (2025-2027), the project will be one of the first systematic attempts to create a new generation of MOF-based environmental monitoring tools in Kazakhstan. It generates new knowledge at the intersection of materials science, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and ecology, strengthening the international standing of domestic science.