Abstract
In this study, a novel idea was proposed to convert the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste drinking-water bottles into activated carbon (AC) to use for waste cooking oil (WCO) and palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) feasibility to convert into esters. The acidic and basic char were prepared by using the waste PET bottles. The physiochemical properties were determined by employing various analytical techniques, such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and temperature-programmed desorption – ammonia/carbon dioxide (TPD-NH3/CO2). The prepared PET H3PO4 and PET KOH showed the higher surface area, thus illustrating that the surface of both materials has enough space for impregnation of foreign precursors. The TPD-NH3 and TPD-CO2 results depicted that PET H3PO4 is found to have higher acidity, i.e., 18.17 mmolg−1, due to the attachment of phosponyl groups to it during pretreatment, whereas, in the case of PET KOH, the basicity increases to 13.49 mmolg−1. The conversion results show that prepared materials can be used as a support for an acidic and basic catalyst for the conversion of WCO and PFAD into green fuel.
Highlights
The activities carried out by humans are having a huge impact on the environment
The aim of this study is to develop a cheap and simple method for synthesis of activated carbon from waste plastic bottles and its applicability for green fuel production from waste feedstocks (i.e., palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) and waste cooking oil (WCO))
These results shows that both polyethylene terephthalate (PET) H3PO4 and PET KOH have the potential to be used for the production of green fuel
Summary
The activities carried out by humans are having a huge impact on the environment. There are always dire consequences of an activity on the natural resources and environment, as we tend to interfere in the natural mechanism of recycling. The number of benefits obtained from the usage of polymers is phenomenal, and that is why they replaced glass in 1970s, but this does not negate the fact that they cause pollution to our environment [1]. Plastic solid wastes are accumulating day by day in our surroundings, and this is posing a huge problem in their disposal without contaminating the environment. The amount of PET that is being recycled in a number of manners in the past is less, but its potential to be converted into activated carbon has been explored recently [3,4]. PET falls into the category of non-biodegradable plastic waste and is being dumped in the landfills and oceans, which poses a great danger to ecology, wild life and human health [5]. All of the data suggest that plastic pollution has already become a severe concern, with far greater consequences than previously assumed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
