Generation and utilization of waste tires pyrolysis carbon: A critical review

Abstract

The volume of waste tires (WT) is increasing annually and reasonable disposal is important to reduce environmental pollution and save resources. Pyrolysis is one of the most widely adopted disposal methods, which can decompose WT into three products: pyrolysis carbon (WTPC), pyrolysis gas and pyrolysis oil. Through the rational use of pyrolysis products, resource recycling can be achieved and the use of fossil fuels can be reduced. Extensive research has been conducted on WT pyrolysis, ranging from experimental investigations to the downstream applications of its byproducts, and numerous reviews have summarized these findings. However, dedicated reviews focusing specifically on WTPC remain scarce. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on WTPC, beginning with an overview of its generation mechanisms. The discussion then extends to WTPC purification, thermal disposal methods such as gasification and combustion, and its application in the synthesis of novel materials, including activated carbon and catalysts. Recent advancements in this field are systematically summarized, with a comparative evaluation of various disposal approaches, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Furthermore, potential future research directions are proposed to address existing challenges. This study aims to serve as a theoretical reference for optimizing the production and utilization of WTPC.