Machines. Technologies. Materials.
Vol. 20 (2026), Issue 7, pg(s) 265-267

TECHNOLOGIES

Transformation of waste polystyrene into high surface area activated carbon: structural and surface insights

  • 1 University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract

Activated carbon was prepared from waste polystyrene through acid treatment and pyrolysis to obtain a porous adsorbent with controlled structural features. Nitrogen adsorption reveals a type IV isotherm with H4 hysteresis and a high specific surface area of 1382 m²/g, indicating combined micro- and mesoporosity. SEM imaging shows irregular carbon agglomerates with a highly textured surface, while elemental and FTIR analyses confirm an aromatic carbon matrix with limited heteroatom functionality. These structural and chemical features demonstrate that the synthesized carbon material is well-developed and suitable for further application-oriented studies, including detailed adsorption performance evaluation.

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