Synthesis of Pyrolytic Carbon from Polyethylene Terephthalate on Graphite Substrate

Pyrolytic carbon is a type of carbon that has many uses in the aerospace, nuclear, electrical and medical industries due to its unique properties. Usual raw materials for producing it, are mainly hydrocarbon gases and require high temperatures for their thermal decomposition, which consume high cost and energy. In this research, pyrolytic carbon is produced by using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with the objective of recycling non-degradable plastics and environmental protection. In this study, pyrolytic carbon was synthesized at lower temperatures and without using catalyst. Also, the effect of process factors such as residence time, carrier gas flow and temperature on pyrolytic carbon morphology was investigated. SEM analysis showed pyrolytic carbon structures were made by using PET in the range of 800 ℃ to 1000 ℃. The formation of pyrolytic carbon structures was confirmed by Raman test (presence of D and G peaks) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The optimum residence time was 452 s.