Ultrafine carbon black produced by pyrolysis of polyethylene using a novel DC-thermal plasma process Original Research Article

Ultrafine carbon black was synthesized successfully by decomposition of polymer using a novel DC-thermal plasma process. Polyethylene was used as a carbon source. The carbon black is produced in plasma stream as spherical nanoparticles with a high degree of turbostratic organization. This was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM). A high-ordered graphite structure was proven by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) results revealed a high specific surface area and pore volume of the carbon product.