Textile Waste Conversion into Valuable Products for Environmental Impact Abatement

Abstract

Conversion of five cellulosic-based textile scraps into activated carbon cloths (ACCs) was investigated by H3PO4 acid chemical activation at pre-established conditions. Yields up to 40% were attained. The ACCs showed BET areas up to 1200 m2 g-1 and microporous (< 2 nm) structures. Comparison of the thermal degradation behavior of selected acid-impregnated scraps with their non-impregnated counter-parts attested noticeable modifications induced by the acid, likely responsible for changes in reactions mechanisms leading to porous development. Activation with other chemicals for selected scraps markedly affected ACCs development. Some ACCs were found effective in nitrate uptake (> 80%) and in methylene blue adsorp-tion (> 95%) from dilute solutions. Hence, it is feasible to obtain high-quality ACCs from cellulosic-based textile scraps, through the appropriate choice of the textile waste nature and the activating agent employed in the process for their development.