The pyrolysis of blends of two wastes from scrap tyres with a coal of 36 wt.% db volatile matter content was carried out in two ovens of different configuration in order to compare the characteristics of the products obtained. The rotary oven was expected to improve the blending of the raw materials and to promote a synergistic effect. Mass balances were performed with gas and oil yields showing the greatest differences. The chars obtained were studied on the basis of their true and apparent densities, Hg porosimetry and by determining their surface area under N2 at 77 K and under CO2 at 273 K. The chars were also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oils were subjected to Fourier spectroscopy (FTIR). It was observed that the oils obtained in the rotary oven were more aromatic and contained smaller amounts of oxygenated functional groups due to their higher residence time in the hot zone of the reactor. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

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Tyre wastes and their blends with coal and a bituminous waste material obtained from the benzol distillation column of a by-product section of a coking plant were employed as a precursor for the production of activated carbons (ACs). Pyrolysis up to 850 °C followed by physical activation with CO 2 produced mesoporous carbons with different pore size distributions and surface areas. The surface chemistry of the samples was studied by measuring the point of zero charge (pH pzc ) and by temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The activated carbons obtained contained higher amounts of basic functional groups. Their textural and surface chemistry characteristics make them highly suitable for adsorbing acid dyes of large molecular size, such as Congo red. The adsorption kinetics was found to conform closely to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. To determine the adsorption mechanism, the kinetic data were also analysed using the Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion model and the Boyd model to distinguish between the pore and film diffusion steps. The equilibrium isotherms were of the Langmuir isotherm type. The efficiency of the low-cost ACs prepared for the removal of Congo red dye was similar to that reported in the literature for coal-based ACs and greater than that of other low-cost ACs.

Tyre wastes and their blends with coal and a bituminous waste material obtained from the benzol distillation column of the by-product section of a coking plant were employed as a precursor for the production of activated carbons (ACs). Pyrolysis up to 850 °C followed by physical activation with CO 2 yielded mesoporous carbons with different pore size distributions and surface areas depending on the degree of burn-off. ACs with surface areas of 475 and 390 m 2 /g were obtained for the two tyre wastes. The inclusion of coal in the blend gave rise to surface areas of up to 1120 m 2 /g due to an increase in the microporosity.The time needed to obtain the desired degree of burn-off depended on the reactivity of the char. The coal-containing materials required the longest amount of time. The surface chemistry of the samples was studied by Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The principal oxygenated groups found were quinones, lactones and carboxylic acids.

 Layer-by-layer assembly has been proven as an effective thin film deposition method  Good coverage, continuity and controlled thickness of the sensitive film accomplished  The fabricated sensor exhibits very good sensitivity and a wide detection range  Hysteresis as well as response and recovery times are excellent

The composition of the reinforcing fibre obtained from the recycling of scrap tyres was analyzed with a view to finding the most suitable applications for it. The material (RF) was separated into two different parts i.e. fibre (F) and microfibre (MF) to ensure the maximum homogeneity of the material under study. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) together with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to identify the polymers present in the waste and to determine in what proportions they were present. Determination of the temperatures of maximum volatile matter evolution (Tmax), the yield at the end of the pyrolysis and the melting temperatures yielded very useful results for the identification of the polymers. In order to confirm the results obtained, pyrolysis of the pure polymers was carried out and the decomposition products were analysed. The results were then compared with the oil composition data derived from the pyrolysis of the waste fibres. Our results showed the presence of two polyamides, rayon, polyester and aramid.

Dip coating and Layer-by-layer have been proven as effective deposition methods. Uncrosslinked and PPD crosslinked GO membranes have been successfully fabricated. Crosslinker impact is significant in enhanced membrane separation performance. Up to 100% MB contaminant removal was achieved for crosslinked membranes. PPD-GO crosslinked membranes are suitable to reuse for multiple cycles.

The augmentation of research in graphene based thin films has been of great interest to various current industrial stakeholders. This is mainly due to the wide scope of films applications, ranging from nanoelectronics to separation membranes. Therefore, establishing a relation between graphene based thin film key characteristics and the fabrication operating conditions is of high significance. This study entails the successful fabrication of controlled-thickness crosslinked graphene oxide (GO) thin films on inexpensive silicon-based glass slide substrates. The method of film fabrication used is the dip-assisted layer-by-layer assembly, which has an added advantage of step-control of thin film thickness, good film uniformity and continuity.