Production of nanosized carbon black from hydrocarbon by a thermal plasma

Thermal plasma conditions (optimal heat and radical sources for the thermal decomposition) can be used to accelerate thermodynamically favorable chemical reactions or provide the energy required for endothermic reforming processes. Direct thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon (methane, acetylene, and propane) was carried out using a thermal plasma system which is an environmentally favorable process. In case of thermal decomposition, high purity of the hydrogen and solidified nano-sized carbon can be achieved without any contaminant. The main product carbon produced by thermal decomposition can be either sequestered or used as a raw material and it can be applied for the varieties of industry fields. The morphology of the carbon was characterized by SEM and the particle size was determined by a particle size analyzer. It was observed that the carbon black particles were sphere particles with mainly several tens of nano-sized diameters, those are about 10-80 nm. It can be expected to be used as a raw material of laser printer toner which requires small sized carbon black particles; An average primary particle size of PRINTEX L (Degussa Fillers & Pigment) used in a part of printing inks is 23 nm. In case of the XRD pattern of the produced carbon black from acetylene is of higher crystalline than the commercialized carbon black used for fuel cells. Also carbon species produced were characterized by EA and TGA.