Environmentally friendly import substitution from KBSU scientists
Scientists of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov under the leadership of acting. Vice-Rector for admissions and pre-university activities, Doctor of Chemistry, Professor Arsen Kharaev won the competition for grants from the Russian Science Foundation in the priority area of the RSF activity «Conducting fundamental scientific research and exploratory scientific research by small separate scientific groups.»
The scientific group presented the project “Development of soluble amorphous and crystalline superstructural polyether ketones and polyether ether ketones and methods for their production as binders for automotive, aviation and space technology products” for the competition. The project should be implemented in 2 years, for this the scientists were allocated 3 million rubles. The development team included two employees and two students of KBSU: acting. Vice-Rector for Admissions and Pre-University Activities, Doctor of Chemistry, Professor Arsen Kharaev, Director of the Institute of Chemistry and Biology, Doctor of Chemistry, Professor of the Department of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Compounds Rima Bazheva, postgraduate student of the 4th g.o. Maryam Parchiev and 4th year student Kristina Kolomyltseva.
Polyetherketones (PEK) and polyetheretherketones (PEEK) are polymers that are used primarily in the mechanical engineering, aviation and space industries. They are heat-resistant, fire-resistant, resistant to deformation, chemical and radiation effects, have low water absorption and, which is especially appreciated in the automotive and aircraft industries, are light compared to other materials used. The project is relevant for the domestic industry — these polymers and composites based on them are not produced in Russia. Today, PEC and PEEK have to be purchased from abroad at high prices, and sanctions partially impose restrictions on this as well. We will make polyetherketones and polyetheretherketones from more affordable starting materials (monomers) that will have the same properties as overseas, but will be cheaper and easier to manufacture.
The initial monomer, difluorobenzophenone, is very expensive, it is difficult to obtain, it is scarce at the output and the price is high, it is made only in Europe. Another monomer, dichlorobenzophenone, is produced in China. We introduce it into the reaction in such a way that the final polymer is absolutely identical to European and American, — Arsen Kharaev specified. He also noted that the production will be environmentally friendly and can be organized in industrial zones of various regions. The result of the work on the project should be world-class patents and scientific publications. And the plans for the future include the establishment of technology and equipment for the production of 20 tons of polymer per year at the technological base of the university. Work on polymers at KBSU has been going on since the 60-70s of the last century under the guidance of Professor Abdulakh Khasbulatovich Mikitaev (1942-2017). The industrial laboratory «Heat-resistant polymers in electronic engineering», the Research Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, OKTB «Mars» were created.
In 2014, on the basis of the REC, together with the Advanced Research Foundation, the Laboratory of Progressive Polymers was created, headed by Mikitaev’s student, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor Svetlana Khashirova. In 2017, the Laboratory of Advanced Polymers was transformed into a Research Center for Advanced Materials and Additive Technologies. On the basis of these structures, in 2008, the scientific and educational center «Polymers and Composites» of KBSU was formed.
Translated by Gekkieva J.A.