The Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science discussed, on Monday, August 31, 2026, the doctoral dissertation tagged ” preparation of clay–biochar overlays and their use as sustainable adsorbents and catalysts”, submitted by doctoral student Esraa Ali Hassan, specializing in industrial chemistry, in the Hall of Professor Dr. Saadallah Tawfik. The aim of the study was to prepare sustainable composites from locally available raw materials, including kaolin clay and walnut shells, using acetic chloride and ferric chloride as activating agents, and employing the prepared composites in multiple environmental and industrial applications. The compounds were used as adsorbents to remove methylene blue dye and hexachrome ions from contaminated aqueous solutions, as well as heterogeneous solid catalysts were used in thermal cracking of biomass residues, in particular date cores, as well as local oil residues from Ain Zala, with the aim of producing improved liquid fuels and valuable petroleum derivatives. The results showed a high adsorption efficiency of the compounds in removing pollutants from real water, while retaining its efficiency when reused for more than four cycles, which enhances the possibility of using it as a sustainable adsorbent in industrial applications. The use of Catalyst overlays in the thermal cracking of date cores also contributed to the production of a bio-oil that can be used in the production of a number of oxidized hydrocarbon compounds, while their use in the thermal cracking of oil residues led to the production of improved liquid fuel that can be used in the production of light petroleum derivatives, including caseolin, kerosene and diesel fuel. The discussion committee consisted of the experienced professor Dr. Fawzi Habib Gabriel as the chairman, and the membership of Prof. Dr. Khalid Ahmed awaid, assistant professor Dr. Iman Ismail Ahmed mujazzam, assistant professor Dr. Ahmed Musa Khalaf, assistant professor Dr. Thaer Abdullah Mahmoud, and Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman basil Fadel Amin as a member and supervisor. At the end of the discussion, the committee praised the scientific effort exerted and the researcher’s ability in her field of specialization, and the applied importance of the study in the treatment of pollutants, the reinvestment of waste and the development of sustainable materials and fuels. On the sidelines of the discussion, on behalf of the dean of the Faculty of science, professor Dr. Hiam Adel Ibrahim, the head of the Department of chemistry, assistant professor Dr. Firas Ahmed dhanon, presented a letter of thanks and appreciation to assistant professor Dr. Ahmed Musa Khalaf, in appreciation of his scientific efforts and active participation in the dissertation discussion Committee, and in appreciation of his giving and contributions to support the scientific and academic career. Our wishes to the researcher and to all the students and teachers of our faculty for the time of brilliance and creativity.

Government information and Communication Division

Monday, August 31, 2026