synthesis of activated carbon from scrap tires with petroleum kerosene as a decomposition auxiliary agent

in this study, we report for the first time the use of kerosene, a petroleum-based product, as an auxiliary decomposition agent to produce scrap tire-based activated carbon with a high surface area. the scrap tires tread was converted to char using multi-step pyrolysis starting at 250 °c through 350 °c. we carried out the rubber decomposition with and without using kerosene in a small amount, followed by steam activation. we evaluated the chars through adsorption-desorption isotherm, electron microscopy, dye removal besides iodine number. the results revealed that the specific surface area of the kerosene treated sample was 1227 m^2/g, whereas the non-kerosene treated char was 473 m^2/gm. the electron microscopic results of the kerosene treated sample demonstrated significant changes in the char s topography surface compared to the untreated samples. in addition, the products showed exceptional ability to eliminate synthetic methylene blue dye from the aqueous solution, suggesting a great potential in the wastewater treatments of the textiles industry.