A robust processing of polymers into antimicrobial materials is introduced using polymer/clay nanotechnology. Antimicrobial activity of commercially available organoclays modified with cationic surfactants has been screened in tests against gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Despite the leaching biocidal surfactants, cell interactions with organoclay surface have been identified to be responsible for antimicrobial activity of organoclays. Distribution of clay platelets within polymer matrix by melt extrusion process resulted in polymer/clay nanocomposites active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by contact. The study discloses a much overlooked function of organoclays modified with cationic surfactants for nanocomposite application, i.e., the ability of organoclays to render polymer nanocomposites biocidal.

The catalysts based on natural zeolite-clinoptilolite of Sokyrnytsia deposit modified with oxides of Mn 4+ , Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ , Cu 2+ , Cr 3+ were synthesized. It was determined that 100% conversion of carbon monoxide was achieved at a temperature of 390ºC when using the copper-manganese-oxide catalyst (30% CuO + 70% MnO 2). It was shown that although the use of the manganese-oxide catalyst provided 92.8% of CO conversion degree, this catalyst had the most advantages for application compared to the other studied solids. The structural parameters of the manganese-oxide catalyst were determined using XRD, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption. The composition of the main elements of the catalyst samples was determined by micro-X-ray spectral analysis. It was shown that using the catalyst containers in chambers heated by flue gases in the fire channels of a multi-chamber furnace for baking of electrode blanks can be one of the constructive solutions to the problem of flue gas purification from carbon monoxide. The environmental safety of the copper-manganese-oxide catalyst application for the treatment of the flue gases of electrode production is justified by obtaining a catalyst from spent sorbents for purification of the manganese-containing natural water and its non-toxicity in the case of burial or storage in landfills.

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