Catalyst Group
- What is Catalysis?Catalysis is like having a shortcut in a long journey—it helps chemical reactions happen faster and with less activation energy. Our own bodies use catalysts, called enzymes: the enzyme amylase in your saliva helps break down starch (like bread or rice) into sugar—much faster than if it happened on its own!
- Why Environmental Catalysis?Like in our body, the environment has a lot of processes with high activation energy. Our team works to develop catalytic systems to break down harmful pollutants in air, water, and soil, making our world cleaner and safer.Read more
An example of environmental catalysis is catalytic converters in our cars that convert toxic gases into not harmful ones!
Images retrieved from the article about Heterogeneous catalysis and catalytic converters and credits to the author.
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Catalysts used in WTP/WWTP
Common catalytic processes include ozonation, photocatalysis, Fenton-like reactions, and catalytic filtration, using materials like metal oxides, MOFs, carbon-based media, and zeolites to improve treatment efficiency and reduce chemical consumption.
- Metal and metal oxidesThese catalysts, including iron, copper, and manganese oxides, are known for their strong redox properties and stability. They are widely used for contaminant breakdown, disinfection, and nutrient removal in filtration, chemical oxidation, and membrane systems.
- Metal–Organic FrameworksMOFs are porous crystalline materials made from metal ions and organic linkers, offering high tunability and surface area. They are emerging materials for selective adsorption, contaminant sensing, and removal of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and metals.
- Carbon-based CatalystsCarbon materials like activated carbon, biochar, and graphene are valued for their large surface area and strong adsorption abilities. They are applied in pollutant removal, filtration systems, and as supports for hybrid catalysts in various water treatment technologies.
- Zeolites and claysZeolites and clays are porous aluminosilicates with high ion-exchange capacity and strong adsorption properties. They are commonly used to remove heavy metals, ammonium, and organic pollutants through adsorption and immobilization.
Catalyst Team Members
all questions and inquiries to meiirzhan.nurmyrza@nu.edu.kz
- Joshua Rasheed Akinrele2nd Year MS Student in Civil and Environmental Eng., NUCatalyst Team Leader. Developing cost-effective AOP catalysts for Allur Auto to treat wastewater from car dyeing processes. Currently working on magnetite-activated persulfate system for complex organic contaminant removal.
- 2nd Year PhD Student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, NULab Captain. Leading research on H₂O₂ pretreatment for enhanced doxycycline removal. Past work includes catalytic removal of Hg(II) and NO₃⁻ using zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) and bimetallic catalysts.
Recent Publications of Catalyst Team
all questions related to publications and collaborations to woojin.lee@nu.edu.kz
zeolitic imidazolate framework; surface electron transfer; catalytic reductive removal; thermal desorption
Nitrate reduction; Catalysts; Ammonium selectivity; Zeolite-imidazole framework; Density functional theory; Green ammonia production
Catalytic nitrate reduction; ZIF-67; Carbonized ZIF-67 (Co@NC) support; Pt–Co@NC; Green ammonia
Aqueous Hg(II); Mercury reduction; Metal–organic frameworks;
Surface electron transfer; Catalytic reductive removal
Surface electron transfer; Catalytic reductive removal
To join Catalyst Team,
send us your CV and a brief letter of intent
