Recovery of Adsorption Properties of Shungite

Abstract

The condition of the surface of natural mesoporous carbonaceous material shungite has been investigated using the electron microscopy, X-ray phase and microspectrum analyses. The ability to recover the adsorption properties of shungite in respect to the extraction of higher alcohols and other impurities from water-alcohol solutions was investigated by the methods of thermogravimetry and IR spectroscopy. The main distinction of absorption spectra of used-up shungite with respect to the initial sample is the absence of absorption by hydroxyl groups (3380 cm⁻¹) and significant reduction of the contribution of component at 1170 cm⁻¹ that corresponds to absorption of phenol groups. It is shown that the heat treatment in argon, with water vapor and in the CO₂ medium results in almost complete removal of sorbed organic substances and the regeneration of adsorption properties of shungite, the latest technique is more economically justified.