Winner. Scientist of the Year 2021

Vadim Potapov

Academic title, degree: Professor, Doctor of Technical Sciences
Fields of science: Technology of hydrothermal nanosilica production and its application in industry building materials, agriculture and medicine
Research interest: Membranes technology, physical and chemical properties of nanosilica solos, gels, nanopowders, nanomodification of concrete, nanosilica in agriculture plants and animals
Institution: Research Geotechnological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Position: Head Scientist
Country: Russian Federation

Vadim Potapov is the Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Chief Researcher of the Research Geotechnological Center of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Doctor of Technical Sciences (2004, D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia), Professor (2007).

Vadim Potapov graduated from Novosibirsk Physical and Mathematical School, than from Novosibirsk State University, Physical Department. He studied the processes of nanosilica formation in hydrothermal solution, and technological processes of nanosilica production and industrial application at the Research Geotechnological Center of Russian Academy of Sciences.

Professor Dr. Potapov is the author of more than 400 research publications and 40 patents on inventions with co-authors from Moscow Lomonosov's State University, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Moscow University of Civil Engineering. The basic results were published in the journals “Chemical Technology”, “Glass Physics and Chemistry”, “Colloid Journal”, “Journal of Sol-Gel Sciences and Technology”, Nanomaterials”, “Separation and Purification Technology”, “Construction and Building Technology”.

Professor Potapov’s recent publications, indexed in journals Web of Science, quartile Q1:
• Potapov V.V., Fediuk R.S., Gorev D.S. Obtaining sols, gels and mesoporous nanopowders of hydrothermal nanosilica. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. 2020. Vol. 94. pp. 681–694.
• Potapov V.V., Fediuk R.S., Gorev D.S. Hydrothermal nanopowders: obtaining them and their characteristics // Nanomaterials. 2020. Vol. 10(4), 624. pp. 1–28.
• Potapov V.V., Fediuk R.S., Gorev D.S. Membrane concentration of hydrothermal SiO2 nanoparticles // Separation and Purification Technology. 2020. 251. 117290. pp. 1–15.
• Potapov V.V., Efimenko Yu.V., Fediuk R.S., Gorev D.S. Effect of hydrothermal nanosilica on the performances of cement concrete // Construction and Building Materials. 2021. Vol. 269. 121307. pp. 1–15.
• Potapov V., Efimenko Yu., Fediuk R., Gorev D., Kozin A., Liseitsev Yu. Modification of Cement Composites with Hydrothermal Nano-SiO2 // Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 2021.

Awards and achievements:
• Diplomas of awarding gold and silver medals of the International Salon of Innovations and Investments;
• Honorary Diploma of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences;
• Diploma of the European Academy of Natural Sciences (Hannover) and the Medal of V. K. Rentgen; Diploma for scientific discovery and a medal of P. L. Kapitsa;
• Certificates of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences on the conferment of honorary titles: "Honored Worker of Science and Education"; " The Founder of the Scientific School"; "Honored Worker of Science and Technology of the Russian Federation"; National Quality Certificate "New Technology";
• Awards of the European Scientific and Industrial Consortium: Gold medal "European Quality"; Nobel Medal for contribution to inventive activity; Mendeleev Medal for contribution to chemistry;
• Diplomas of the winner of the Ecomir competition (Moscow).

Within the framework of cooperation with the Department of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences "Physicochemical Biology, Innovative Products and Technologies", the results of stimulating the growth of a wide range of agricultural crops were obtained due to the intracellular action of non-toxic SiO2 nanoparticles, increasing the yield and biochemical parameters of plants. Methods have been developed for the use of hydrothermal nanosilica as a feed additive that increases the productivity of farm animals. Approaches to the use of hydrothermal nanosilica as anti-inflammatory agents, enterosorbents and drugs affecting the bone structure are proposed.

Technological rout includes the steps:
1) polycondensation of orthosilicic acid on hydrothermal solution and formation of silica particles with regulated diameters,
2) ultrafiltration membrane concentration of silica nanoparticles and obtaining stable sols with SiO2 content up to 50 mass per cents.

Membrane technology can separate nanoparticles and ions of hydrothermal solution in such a way so sols are stable without any addition of stabilizers. Average nanoparticles diameters are in the range of 5-100 nm, specific surface area up to 500 m2/g, density of the surface silanols groups up to 4.9 nm(-2), high chemical activity of the surface, small dimensions of fractal aggregates in powder form. Nanomodification of concrete by hydrothermal nanosilica can change the nanostructure of material, nanoindentation modulus of elasticity, and enhance compressive and flexural strength, tensile strength, diameters and volume capillary pores, water impermeability, fracture toughness and fracture energy and impact viscosity of destruction. Nanosilica particles in agricultural plants cells can stimulate growth and development of plants, enhance photosynthesis, and increase productivity and biochemical parameters of the wide range of the plants.

After winning the competition of the Foundation for the Assistance of Entrepreneurship in the Scientific and Technical Area (Bortnik’s Foundation, START 2007), Research and Production Firm NANOSILICA LLC began its work, whose activities are aimed at the production of hydrothermal nanosilica. Hydrothermal solution is the new source of nanosilica production.