Characterization of char produced by high and low temperature pyrolysis of paint sludge waste from the automotive industry

Increasing the pyrolysis temperature from 550 to 950 °C did not substantially change the carbon and oxygen content in char materials. The paint char demonstrated significant thermal stability, as indicated by TGA measurements, with enhanced stability noted at elevated pyrolysis temperatures. SEM research suggested that the paint char particles displayed an aggregated spherical form with a coarse and uneven surface, but some exhibited a platelet-like morphology.

Py-GC/MS analysis verified that, as the pyrolysis temperature increased, most volatile hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds were decomposed. The elevated thermal stability and turbostratic configuration of paint char can significantly enhance the mechanical performance and thermal characteristics of polymer composites.