Trichloroethylene is an organochlorine compound used for degreasing metals and dry cleaning fabrics, as well as for the production of insecticides, medicines, resins and dyes. Today, the only way to dispose of this substance is combustion, which releases phosgene, a toxic and asphyxiating gas.
The scientists from the Institute of Catalysis SB RAS have found a way to use trichloroethylene beneficially. This refers to obtaining carbon nanomaterials from light aliphatic hydrocarbons in several stages. First, a catalyst based on nickel and molybdenum is placed in the tubular reactor and heated to 550–650 degrees Celsius. After that, a mixture of trichloroethylene, argon and hydrogen is passed through the reactor, preventing the catalyst surface from being blocked by chlorine. As a result, carbon nanofibers are obtained, which can be used as catalyst carriers. The by-product is sulfuric acid, which can be neutralized with alkali.
“There are many areas where carbon nanomaterials can be used. We’re currently working on modified polymer composites. Our material has also proven to be a promising adsorbent for purifying water from chlorinated aromatic pollutants, as it has a high specific surface area and porosity. Another area we’re exploring is the production of additives in lubricants to improve tribological performance,” Arina Potylitsyna, one of the authors of the study, is quoted as saying by the Institute of Catalysis SB RAS.
The results of the study could be especially useful for polyvinyl chloride production facilities, which produce a large amount of organochlorine waste and need hydrochloric acid.
