Quantitive assessment of the use of Kazakhstan montmorillonite clays as sorbent carriers for pharmaceutical substances

Abstract

Bentonite materials are widely utilized across various industries due to their unique physicochemical properties. This study presents a qualitative and comparative analysis of mineral substances derived from ben tonite clay deposits in East Kazakhstan. The montmorillonite content in the samples ranges from 75.5% to 88%, with adsorption capacity (determined by the methylene blue method) varying between 119 and 204 mg/g. The pH of the samples lies within the range of 7 to 10. FTIR and XRF analyses confirmed the presence of major components such as silicon and aluminum oxides, while X-ray diffraction identified montmorillonite as the dominant crystalline phase. Textural characterization revealed specific surface areas of 94–104 m²/g, pore volumes of 0.03–0.05 cm³/g, and pore sizes between 0.8 and 1.04 nm. SEM analysis demonstrated a flaky, layered, and porous morphology typical of bentonite. Based on these properties, the bentonite samples exhibit strong potential for industrial use. They are applicable in oil production (as components of drilling fluids) and construction (as insulating and sealing agents). Additionally, their high sorption capacity makes them promising candidates for pharmaceutical applications, particularly as carriers in topical formulations such as ointments and pastes for wound healing and inflammatory skin conditions.

Keywords: bentonite clays, montmorillonite, mineral composition, surface area, physico-chemical properties.