Activated carbons from used motor oil as catalyst support for sustainable environmental protection

Abstract

Activated carbons obtained from used motor oil mixtures with furfural or coal tar pitch were prepared and tested as a host matrix of zinc and/or iron oxide nanoparticles. The obtained composites were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, Boehm method, XRD, UV–Vis, FTIR, Moessbauer spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction. The catalytic behaviour of the samples was tested in methanol decomposition to syngas. The activated carbon obtained from motor oil and furfural was more amorphous and characterizes with higher acidic surface functionality, specific surface area and pore volume due to the simultaneous presence of micro- and mesopores. The modification procedure promoted development of “secondary” porosity which facilitated the formation of accessible to the reactant molecules finely dispersed and highly active metal oxide particles. Zinc ferrite modifications of both activated carbons exhibited higher catalytic activity, stability and good selectivity to syngas in comparison with the individual metal oxide ones.