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Smart Polymers & Membranes
Zwitterionic polymers, with both positive and negative charges, are notable for their biocompatibility, antifouling, and stimuli-responsive properties. Our laboratory focuses on:
Membrane Filtration:
  • Enhancing water treatment, wastewater reuse, desalination, and industrial separations.
  • Advancing performance and scalability of zwitterionic polymer-based membranes.
Biomedical Applications:
  • Creating self-healed hydrogels for drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue regeneration.
Research team
  • Dr. Munziya Abutalip
    Leading Researcher, Group leader
    Education
    PhD in Chemistry (2020) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
    Master of Science in Chemistry (2015) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
    Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (2010) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan

    Research Area
    Zwitterionic Polymer synthesis, Hydrogels, 2d and 3D Conducting materials, Characterization, Porous materials, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs and COFs), Nanocomposites, Membrane separation, Nanomaterials, Quantum dots, Microfluidic devices, Drug delivery system, Paraffin inhibition, Sensors, Water purification, air pollution.

    Specialization
    NMR Spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, Mass Spectrometry, FTIR analysis, Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), Defrrerencioal Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray crystallography, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV), Four-Probe Method, Gel Permission Chromotortaphy (GPC), Zeta potential measurement, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Rheological Analysis of Hydrogel Materials, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
  • Dr. Gulden Ormanova
    Senior Researcher
    Education
    PhD in Science, Engineering and Technology (2024) - Nazarbayev University
    MSc in Geoinformation Sciences, University of West Hungary
    MSc in Engineering Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
    Bachelor of Technics and Technologies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

    Research Area
    Chemical characterization of source/receptor relationships for ambient air pollutants; sampling, chemical and physical characterization of airborne particles; outdoor air quality; climate effects, predictive modelling techniques.

    Specialization
    PM2.5 sampling, the installation and operation of Aerosol Samplers, Source apportionment, OCEC Carbon Aerosol Analyzer, IC, ICP MS, Black Carbon Reflectometer
  • Arshyn Zhengis
    PhD student, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
    Education
    PhD in Chemistry (2022 - Current) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
    Master of Science in Chemistry (2020) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
    Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (2018) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan

    Research Area
    Membranes and composite thin films for water purification, polymers, porous materials, and frameworks such as MOFs and COFs

    Specialization
    •⁠ ⁠Synthesis and functionalization of polymers, membranes and porous materials like MOFs and COFs
    •⁠ ⁠Characterization techniques: SEM, TEM, NMR, FTIR, BET, X-ray techniques
  • Yenglik Amrenova
    PhD student, Satbayev University
    Education
    PhD in Chemistry (2024 - Current) - Satbayev University, Kazakhstan
    Master of Science in Chemistry (2020) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
    Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (2018) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan

    Research Area
    Hydrogels, zwitterionic polymers, polymer chemistry, nanomaterials, biomaterials, drug delivery systems, cancer therapy.

    Specialization
    Synthesis and characterization of polymers, spectroscopic analysis, rheology, X-ray techniques, SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, NMR, Zeta Sizer analysis, stress-strain analysis.
  • Yernar Kanagat
    PhD student, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
    Education
    PhD in Chemistry (2022) - L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
    Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and Technology (2017) - Beijing University of Chemical Technology
    Bachelor of Science in Chemical Technology of Organic Substances (2011) - South Kazakhstan State University

    Research Area
    Polymer Nanocomposites, Membrane separation, Desulfurization, Nanomaterials, Carbon dots

    Specialization
    Synthesis and characterization of polymers, Polymer carbon dots, and polymer nanocomposites, spectroscopic analysis, morphology, X-ray techniques, PL analysis, Electrochemical analysis, SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, NMR, Zeta potential.
  • Arailym Yergesheva
    MSc student, Nazarbayev University
    Education
    Master of Science in Chemical and Materials Science (2023 - Current) - Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan
    Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (2018) - Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan

    Research Area
    Zwitterionic polymers, polymer chemistry, wax deposition, paraffin inhibition, microfluidic system, colloid and interface chemistry, crystallization, and nucleation theory.

    Specialization
    Synthesis and characterization of polymers, Spectrometry, UV-Vis, Zetasizer, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/DSC), Electron Microscopy (TEM, SEM), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Programming skills of Python Jupyter, MATLAB, ASPEN Plus, COMSOL Multiphysics, VASP simulations.
Publications
  • Yenglik Amrenova , Arshyn Zhengis, Arailym Yergesheva, Munziya Abutalip and Nurxat Nuraje, Preparation of Zwitterionic Sulfobetaines and Study of Their Thermal Properties and Nanostructured Self-Assembling Features/ Nanomaterials 2025, 15(1), 58, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15010058
  • Maryam Mahmoudi Kouhi, Ali Shafiei, Taira Bekkuzhina, Munziya Abutalip/New intelligent models for predicting wax appearance temperature using experimental data – Flow assurance implications /Fuel/ https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133146
  • Askar, Perizat, Kanzhigitova, Dana, Ospanova, Aigerim, Tapkharov, Aslan, Duisenbekov, Sagydat, Abutalip, Munziya, Soltabayev, Baktiyar, Turlybekuly, Amanzhol/1 ppm-detectable hydrogen gas sensor based on nanostructured polyaniline/ Scientific Reports/ https:/doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77083-5
  • Enoch K. Adotey, Darkhan Kozhabai, Olzat Toktarbaiuly, Munziya Abutalip, Bakhytzhan Baptayev, Lyazzat Tastanova, Amirbek Bekeshev, Dhawal Shah, Nurxat Nuraje, Mannix Balanay, Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh// Chemical characterization and sources identification of PM 10 aerosols in an industrial area// ES Energy & Environment /2024/ https:/doi.org/10.30919/esee1312
  • Dana Kanzhigitova, Munziya Abutalip, Nurxat Nuraje et.al. /Controlled Synthesis of Polyaniline-Based Nanomaterials with Self-Assembly and Interface Manipulation // Langmuir /2024, ACS, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03167
  • Arshyn Zhengis, Yenglik Amrenova, Arailym Yergesheva, Gulim Imekova, Zhexenbek Toktarbay, Olzat Toktarbaiuly, Munziya Abutalip, Nurxat Nuraje/Structural Studies and Applications of Sulfobetaine-Based Zwitterionic Polybetaines at Interfaces/Eurasian Journal of Chemistry/ No. 1(113)/2024, https://doi.org/10.31489/2959-0663/1-24-3
  • Kanzhigitova, D., Munziya Abutalip, Nurxat Nuraje et.al./ p-Toluenesulfonic acid doped vanadium pentoxide/polypyrrole film for highly sensitive hydrogen/ Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials/ https:/doi.org/10.1007/s42114-023-00796-0
  • Abutalip, M., Zhigerbayeva, G., Kanzhigitova, D., Askar, P., Yeszhan, Y., Pham, T. T., Adilov, S., Luque, R., & Nuraje, N. (2023). Strategic Synthesis of 2D and 3D Conducting Polymers and Derived Nanocomposites. Advanced Materials, 35(5), 2208864. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202208864
  • Nurbatyr Mukhametgazy., Iskander Sh.Gussenov, Alexey V.Shakhvorostov, Munziya Abutalip and Sarkyt E.Kudaibergenov// Synthesis and Characterization of Salt Tolerant Ternary Polyampholyte as Rheology Enhancer and Fluid Loss Additive for Water-Based Drilling Fluids /Engineered Science/ https:/doi.org/10.30919/es965
  • Munziya Abutalip, Anam Mahmood, Raikhan Rakhmetullayeva, Alexey Shakhvorostov, Yerbol Dauletov, Sarkyt Kudaibergenov, Nurxat Nuraje. RAFT Polymerization of Amphiphilic Polycarboxybetaines and Their Molecular Interactions/ Langmuir/, 2019, V.35 P. 8389-8397. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01347
  • Xiao Zhao, Munziya Abutalip, Khurshida Afroz, Nurxat Nuraje. Hydrophobically Modified Polycarboxybetaine: From Living Radical Polymerization to Self-Assembly/ Langmuir /2019,V.355, P.1606-1612. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b03561
Funded projects
"Functionalized Nanoparticle-Modified Electrochemical Sensor for Simultaneous Determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in Ambient Particulate Matter and Field Test"
Project PI: Munziya Abutalip
Duration: 2024 - 2026
"Theoretical and experimental studies of amphiphilic polybetaine's self-assembly and function"
Project PI: Munziya Abutalip
Duration: 2023 - 2025