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A Novel Technology for Green(er) Manufacturing of CNTs via Recycling of Waste Plastics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2011

Chuanwei Zhuo ,
Brendan Hall ,
Yiannis Levendis  and
Henning Richter
Chuanwei Zhuo
Affiliation:
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, 334 SN, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, U.S.A.
Brendan Hall
Affiliation:
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, 334 SN, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, U.S.A.
Yiannis Levendis
Affiliation:
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, 334 SN, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, U.S.A.
Henning Richter
Affiliation:
Nano-C, Inc., 33 Southwest Park, Westwood, MA 02090, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Costly and often highly-flammable chemicals, such as hydrogen and carbon-containing gases, are largely used for carbon supply in current carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis technologies. To mitigate related economic and safety concerns, we have developed a versatile CNT synthesis sequence, where low-cost and safe-to-handle-and-store waste solid polymers (plastics) are used for in situ generation of hydrogen and carbon-containing gases. Introduction of different waste plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, into a multi-stage pyrolysis/ combustion/synthesis reactor allows for efficient CNT formation. This process is largely exothermic and scalable. It uses low-cost stainless steel screens to serve both as substrates as well as catalysts for CNT synthesis. This technique enables a solution for both waste plastic utilization and sustainable CNT production.

Keywords

waste managementchemical synthesisnanostructure
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1317: Symposium RR – Interdisciplinary Approaches to Safe Nanotechnologies , 2011 , mrsf10-1317-rr05-06
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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References

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