Household mixed plastic waste derived adsorbents for CO₂ capture: A feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Household Mixed Plastic Waste (HMPW) presents a significant environmental challenge.
• Activated carbon (AC) is crucial for carbon capture technologies.
• Developing sustainable methods for AC production from waste is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of producing AC from HMPW for carbon capture.
• To compare microwave-assisted activation with conventional thermal activation.
• To assess the impact of activation methods on AC yield, energy consumption, and CO2 capture capacity.

Main Methods:

• Direct carbonization of HMPW followed by chemical activation.
• Utilized both conventional thermal activation and microwave-assisted activation.
• Evaluated AC properties including yield, thermal stability, and CO2 uptake capacity.

Main Results:

• Microwave-assisted activation yielded higher AC (78%) compared to conventional (71%).
• Microwave activation consumed significantly less energy (0.19 kWh vs. 0.98 kWh).
• Microwave-activated AC demonstrated superior dynamic (1.62 mmol/g) and equilibrium CO2 uptake (1.58-2.88 mmol/g).

Conclusions:

• Microwave-assisted activation is an efficient method for producing AC from HMPW with enhanced carbon capture capabilities.
• This process offers a sustainable route for managing plastic waste and advancing the circular economy.
• This study pioneers the use of microwave heating for direct conversion of HMPW into AC for carbon capture.