The effect of pre-swelling on the characteristics of obtained activated carbon from cigarette butts fibers

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to introduce a modified method for recycling huge number (5.7 trillion) of cigarette butts (Cb) and convert them to activated carbon through a modified method. In order to achieve this, the effect of pre-swelling on the physical and chemical characteristics of obtained activated carbon (OAC) was investigated. In the first step, Cb was impregnated with different percentages of NaOH solutions, and then pyrolyzed. In the next step, they were compared with activated carbon prepared by physical activation. OAC characteristics: morphology, physical properties, structural, textural and adsorption properties, and thermal stability were investigated. The existence of phenol and carboxyl was determined through FTIR. Specific surface of OAC was about < 900 m2/g. The highest capacities of the OAC were confirmed by the iodine number (1143.34). Results showed that pre-swelling of filter fibers would increase the specific surface of OAC by up to 47%.