Journal Article

Single-step Synthesis of High Surface Area Activated Carbon from Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic Waste for Environmental Treatment Applications

Tran, Nga Thuy, Ho, Phuong Hien, Duc Nguyen, D., Le, Quoc Anh, Phuong Nguyen Thi, H., Lai, Hoan Thi, La, Duong Duc, Van Tran, Chinh

2025

Overview

The escalating environmental concerns regarding plastic waste necessitate innovative strategies for waste management and resource utilization. This study presents a novel approach for synthesizing high surface area activated carbon (AC) through a single-step process, using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste as the precursor and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the activating agent. The optimal activation conditions were established using a weight ratio of 1:1 of PET to KOH and annealing for 15 min at 700 °C. The conversion efficiency of PET plastic trash into AC exceeded 20%. The materials underwent thorough characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The AC obtained has a mesoporous structure and a surface area of 1831.166 m 2 /g. The AC derived from plastic waste demonstrated excellent efficiency in removing organic dyes from aqueous solutions, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 131.58 mg/g. The successful transformation of plastic waste into a valuable resource underscores the importance of innovative approaches to mitigating environmental degradation. The synthesized AC’s efficacy in adsorption-based remediation strategies demonstrates its potential for addressing various pollution issues and opens new avenues for valuing plastic waste. Graphical Abstract Highlights PET plastic waste was converted into high-surface-area activated carbon using a single-step process. A surface area of 1831.166 m 2 /g was achieved, enhancing adsorption efficiency for pollutants. Activated carbon removed MB with a maximum adsorption capacity of 131.58 mg/g. SEM, XRD, BET, and FTIR were used to confirm the porous structure and chemical properties. A sustainable waste-to-resource approach was demonstrated for environmental remediation.

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Activated carbon / Adsorbents / Adsorption / Aqueous solutions / Carbon / Chemical properties / Earth and Environmental Science / Efficiency / Environment / Environmental cleanup / Environmental degradation / Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology / Environmental impact / Environmental Management / Fourier analysis / Fourier transforms / Geoecology/Natural Processes / Infrared analysis / Infrared spectroscopy / Iodine / Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning / Natural Hazards / Plastic debris / Polyethylene terephthalate / Potassium hydroxide / Potassium hydroxides / Ratios / Remediation / Research Paper / Resource utilization / Scanning electron microscopy / Surface area / Synthesis / Temperature / Waste management / X-ray diffraction