Performance of activated carbon supported nickel catalysts in the pyrolysis of waste plastics to produce carbon nanotubes

A series of Ni based catalysts are prepared through impregnation method with coconut shell, bamboo charcoal and charcoal activated carbons as the support; their catalytic performance in the pyrolysis of waste plastics to produce carbon nanotubes was comparatively investigated. The structure and morphology of the catalyst and carbon nanotubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen physisorption. The results show that carbon nanotubes with the highest yield and the best quality can be produced by using the nickel catalyst supported on coconut shell activated carbon (Ni/CSAC). In addition, the effect of reaction temperature and nickel loading on the catalytic performance of Ni/CSAC in the pyrolysis of waste plastics was considered.