Microstructural Characterization of Activated Carbon Obtained from Waste Tires

SOREME project (LIFE 11 ENV/IT/109) is aimed at synthesizing an innovative sorbent based on activated carbon obtained from the carbonization of waste tires. Microstructural characterization was mainly performed in order to define crystallinity, morphology and porosity of the activated carbon powders obtained in different conditions. In particular, XRD analysis always revealed a partially crystalline structure with different crystallite size of the nanographitic structure. The disorder of these structures was determined by Raman spectroscopy. This evaluation was made on the basis of the ratio of the integrated area of the D and G bands typical of the graphitic structure. Finally, SEM was used to put in evidence the mesopores and macropores.