Study of carbon black obtained by pyrolysis of waste scrap tyres

Abstract

Waste scrap tyres were thermally decomposed under various conditions. Decompositions were followed by the TGA method. Specific heating regimes were tested to obtain optimal structural properties of resulting pyrolytic carbon black produced by pyrolysis of scrap tyres and the process was characterized in temperature interval from 380 to 1,200 °C and heating rate 10, 20 and 50 °C min−1 under nitrogen atmosphere. The original scrap tyres and pyrolytic carbon black were characterized by Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy methods. Textural properties were also determined. Effect of temperature and heating rate on process of pyrolysis of scrap tyres was observed. Shifting of temperature of maximum pyrolysis rate to lower value and spreading of DTG peak is caused by increasing heating rate. Temperature 570 °C was sufficient for total scrap tyres pyrolysis. Graphitic and disordered structure was distinguished in the formed carbon black by Raman spectroscopy. With increasing temperature, heating rate and weight loss, the amount of the graphitic structure was reduced at the expense of disordered structure. Destruction of nonporous scrap tyres and formation of porous structure took place at higher temperature. Porous carbon black is formed above 380 °C, specific surface area increased up to 88 m2 g−1 .