Activated Carbon Derived from Carbonization of Kevlar Waste Materials: A Novel Single Stage Method

Abstract

The augmented demands of textile materials over time have brought challenges in the disposal of substantial volumes of waste generated during the processing and end of life of such materials. Taking into consideration environmental safety due to discarding of textile waste, it becomes critical to recuperate useful products from such waste for economic reasons. The present work deals with the preparation of porous and electrically conductive activated carbon fabric by a novel single stage method of simultaneous carbonization and physical activation of Kevlar feedstock material procured from local industries, for effective electromagnetic (EM) shielding applications. The Kevlar fabric waste was directly carbonized under a layer of charcoal without any intermediate stabilization step at 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C, with a heating rate of 300 °C/h and without any holding time. The physical and morphological properties of the activated carbon, influenced by carbonization process parameters, were characterized from EDX, X-ray diffraction, SEM analysis, and BET analysis. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity was analyzed. Finally, the potential application of the activated material for EM shielding effectiveness was analyzed at low (below 1.5 GHz) and high (2.45 GHz) frequencies. The phenomena of multiple internal reflections and absorption of electromagnetic radiations was found dominant in the case of activated carbon fabric produced at higher carbonization temperatures.

Development of Activated Carbon Textiles Produced from Jute and Cotton Wastes for Electromagnetic Shielding Applications

“…Improvements in energy costs and the use of inert gases directly and significantly affect the final cost. Recently, some studies have been carried out using "self-purging" to eliminate inert gas [30][31][32][33][34][35]. Gases emitted during pyrolysis serve as the activating agents, so carbonization and activation are combined into one step.…”

A Facile Approach to Produce Activated Carbon from Waste Textiles via Self-Purging Microwave Pyrolysis and FeCl3 Activation for Electromagnetic Shielding Applications

“…Atmosphere: Inert gas is commonly used for an oxygen-free atmosphere in pyrolysis. Recently, some studies have been carried out under the concept of "self-purging" to eliminate inert gas [20][21][22][23][24]. Self-activation is a process that utilizes the gases such as CO 2 emitted from the pyrolysis process of biomass to activate the converted carbon, saving the cost of activation agents and reducing the environmental impact compared to conventional activation processes.…”

AN ECO-FRIENDLY DYE FOR BATIK CLOTHES: A NATURAL DYE SOLUTION MADE OF MANGO SEEDS EXTRACT (Mangifera indica L.)

“…Historically speaking, since ancient times, natural dyes have been frequently used to color textiles [2]. However, along with the increasing public demand for textile and batik materials and products, a new problem arises, namely environmental pollution polluted by waste/wastewater produced by the process and production of textile and batik companies [3], [4]. The use of fabric dyes with synthetic materials that have no guidelines has been confirmed as a major cause of pollution that harms human health and the environment [5].…”