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Title Conversion of pyrolytic non-condensable gases from polypropylene co-polymer into bamboo-type carbon nanotubes and high-quality oil using biochar as catalyst
ID_Doc 22073
Authors Shah, K; Patel, S; Halder, P; Kundu, S; Marzbali, MH; Hakeem, IG; Pramanik, BK; Chiang, K; Patel, T
Title Conversion of pyrolytic non-condensable gases from polypropylene co-polymer into bamboo-type carbon nanotubes and high-quality oil using biochar as catalyst
Year 2022
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113791
Abstract The conversion of low-value plastic waste into high-value products such as carbon nanomaterial is of recent interest. In the current study, the non-condensable pyrolysis gases, produced from Polypropylene Copolymer (PPC) feedstock, was converted into bamboo-type carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) through catalytic chemical vapour deposition using biochar. Experiments were conducted in a three-zone furnace fixed bed reactor, where PPC was pyrolysed in the second zone and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) growth was eventuated in the third zone. The effects of different growth temperatures (500, 700, 900 degrees C) and biochar particle sizes (nanoparticle as well as 0-100 and 100-300 mu m) were investigated to optimise the production of hydrogen and the yield of carbon nanotubes on the biochar surface. Biochar samples used in the synthesis of CNTs were obtained from the pyrolysis of saw dust at 700 degrees C in a muffle furnace. Analyses performed by using Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy techniques suggested that the best crystalline structure of CNTs were obtained at 900 degrees C with nano-sized biochar as a catalyst. The strong gas-solid contact and void fraction of nano-sized particles enhances the diffusion-precipitation mechanism, leading to the growth of CNTs. The nano-sized biochar increased hydrogen production at 900 degrees C and reduced the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content in oil to only 1%, which is advantageous for further utilisation. Therefore, the production of high-value CNTs from waste plastic using low-cost biochar catalyst can be a sustainable approach in the management of waste plastic while participating in the circular economy.
Author Keywords Carbon nanotubes; Biochar catalyst; Chemical vapour deposition; Waste plastics; Waste management; Circular economy
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000704865200002
WoS Category Environmental Sciences
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology
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