Valorization of waste biaxially‐oriented polypropylene plastic films by its co‐carbonization with almond leaves

Abstract

AbstractThis study utilized the top‐lit updraft technology for the co‐carbonization of waste biaxially‐oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and almond leaves (Terminalia catappa) for the production of hybrid biochar, which was then further characterized. Biochar was also synthesized and characterized using the almond leaves alone, as it served as control for the study. The carbonization process, which ran for 100 min, gave a yield of 39.4% and 33.9% for biochar and hybrid biochar, respectively. FTIR spectra showed the presence of functional groups such as amine and carbonyl groups in the hybrid biochar. EDX results showed that the hybrid biochar contained about 57.3% carbon, in combination with other elements. SEM micrographs confirmed the presence of the plastic in the hybrid biochar. In addition, the hybrid biochar had a BET surface area of 366.8 m2/g and a pore diameter of 2.093 nm. DTA/TGA analysis showed that the presence of the plastics decreased the thermal stability of the hybrid biochar. This study supports the use of Terminalia catappa leaves as a reliable precursor for the synthesis of biochar and hybrid biochar.