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Novel concept for synthesizing carbon nano-onion, graphene layers, and graphene nano-ribbons from polypropylene waste over Fe2O3 nanoparticles

Carbon letters 2025 5 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Ahmed M. Haggar, Ateyya A. Aboul‐Enein, Ahmed E. Awadallah, Mostafa A. Azab

Summary

Researchers developed a novel method for synthesizing carbon nano-onions, graphene layers, and graphene nano-ribbons from polypropylene waste using iron oxide nanoparticle catalysts produced under different fuel conditions. The study found that the optimal catalyst achieved a 280% yield of highly graphitized few-layer graphene, demonstrating a potential way to convert plastic waste into valuable carbon nanomaterials.

Polymers

Abstract In order to optimize the manufacturing of polypropylene-derived few-layer graphene, an innovative utilization of non-supported iron oxide nanoparticles generated under various fuel environment conditions was studied. Three distinct fuel combustion environment circumstances (fusion, fuel shortage, and fuel excess) produced a variety of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles for cost-effective and green graphene deposition. XRD, H 2 -TPR, Raman, and TGA measurements were used to characterize both new and spent catalysts. Remarkably, the microstructure of the generated Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles could be controlled by the citric acid/iron nitrate ratio, ranging from spheroids (Fe 2 O 3 (0)) to sheets (Fe 2 O 3 (0.5-0.75)) and a hybrid microstructure that consists of sheets, spheroids, and interconnected strips (Fe 2 O 3 (1-2)). According to fuel situation (citric acid/iron nitrate ratio, Fe 2 O 3 (0-2)), various graphitization level and yields of graphene derivatives including sheets, ribbons, and onions have been developed. With the ideal fuel/oxidant ratio ( ɸ = 1), the Fe 2 O 3 (0.75) catalyst demonstrated the best catalytic activity to deposit the largest yield of highly graphitized few graphene layers (280%). Lean and rich fuel conditions (1 > ɸ > 1) have detrimental effects on the amount and quality of graphene deposition. It is interesting to note that in addition to graphene sheets, an excess of citric acid caused the production of metallic cores, hollow, and merged carbon nano-onions, and graphene nano-ribbons. It was suggested that carbon nano-onions be converted into graphene nano-ribbons and semi-onion shell-like graphene layers. Graphical abstract

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