Incineration of carbon nanomaterials with sodium chloride as a potential source of PCDD/Fs and PCBs

The incineration of waste carbon nanomaterials will become an inevitable waste management strategy following the disposal of products containing carbon nanomaterials. We investigated the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during the incineration of selected carbon nanomaterials [fullerene (C₆₀), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), and graphene], with sodium chloride and trace copper at 850 °C in air using a laboratory-scale electric furnace. Most PCDD/Fs and PCBs were concentrated in particulate fly ash post-incineration, and in low-temperature zones in the furnace (54-670 °C). Notably, C₆₀ had a specific thermal behavior leading to the formation of high concentrations of high chlorinated PCDD/Fs and toxic 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDD/F (2,3,7,8-T4CDD/F). SWNTs had a lower potential to generate such compounds than C₆₀, but had a higher potential than graphene and graphite. Temperature, solid/gas phases, chlorine sources, and the thermal stability of carbon nanomaterials were the key controlling factors. There is a need to consider the generation of PCDD/Fs and PCBs during the incineration of waste streams containing carbon nanomaterials.