Usage and characterization of activated carbon produced from waste paper in rubber matrix compounds

The cellulose and paper industry accounts for a large part of the circular economy. The need for activated carbons is gradually increasing, especially in the environmental and energy fields. In this study, the production of activated carbon from waste papers was carried out with the help of the chemical activation method and activation agents (phosphoric acid and zinc chloride). The parameters used in the experiments and analyzed were kept constant for all activated carbons. The density values of activated carbon were analyzed more than once in each sample with a helium-gas pycnometer device. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to detect functional groups in the structure of activated carbon, and a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) was used to study surface properties and porosity development. The distributions of activated carbons and their elemental analysis were examined by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and Mapping analyses. In the second part of the experimental study, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR 1502) and natural rubber (NR RSS3) were used as the main matrix material. Adhering to the same compound in the experiments, in addition to the carbon black in the compound, phosphoric acid filled activated carbon filling material 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by mass, and zinc chloride filled activated carbon 5% 10%, 15% ,%20 by mass. In total,nine different composite matrices were created. Density, hardness, tensile strength, unit elongation, FE-SEM, X-Ray MAP method and the characteristics of the main matrix and additives were observed and the test results obtained were compared with each other and with the values specified in standards and interpreted.