Characterization of activated carbon from automotive paint sludge via microwave pyrolysis and its potential in supercapacitor application: article

Industrial wastes such as automotive paint sludge has been an environmental problem for quite some time. With methods such as microwave assisted pyrolysis, it is possible to reduce the waste to be put to better use. Due to the high moisture content of the sludge, pyrolysis via microwave radiation is an added advantage as it will act as the heating medium. From this process, the automotive paint sludge is reduced to a solid char, liquid oil and gas. This research is focus on the producing the solid form with prior chemical activation. Radiation time and microwave power level are the parameters being applied in this research. It was concluded that through this method, the samples produced very low surface areas and is not suitable in producing activated carbon to be used as supercapacitors.