Universal Ni‐Mo‐Mg catalysts combined with carbon blacks for the preparation of carbon nanotubes from polyolefins

Abstract

ABSTRACTPlastics used as carbon source present a sustainable and environmentally benign route for the preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs); however, the current catalysts basically take effect on a certain type of plastics. Herein, a significantly universal carbonization performance of Ni‐Mo‐Mg catalysts has been created for polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and their blends with the highest CNT yields of 26.24%, 28.36%, 18.39%, and 31.66%. With the further introduction of a universal synergistic agent (nanosized carbon black), the maximum CNT yields of 53.56%, 65.95%, 41.85%, and 59.83% from PP, PE, PS, and their blends were achieved, respectively. The morphology, microstructure, and the graphitization of above CNTs were measured by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometer, Raman spectroscopy, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. Results demonstrated that the addition of carbon black could further improve the morphology of CNTs and enhance the graphitization of CNTs. Within three polyolefins, the PS offered the highest graphitization of CNTs. Finally, the highly universal carbonization performance of Ni‐Mo‐Mg catalysts and the universal synergistic effect were also discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44647.