Synthesis Mechanism of Carbon Microsphere from Waste Office Paper via Hydrothermal Method

Carbon microsphere was successfully synthesized from waste office paper via hydrothermal method and high temperature treatment in nitrogen atmosphere. The process of carbon microsphere synthesis from waste office paper fiber using concentrated sulfuric acid was studied, and the influence of H2SO4 concentration and reaction time on the hydrolysis reaction was considered. To investigate the mechanism of conversion of waste office paper to carbon microsphere, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry was used to analyze the chemical composition of the supernatant liquid product and the non-carbonized carbon microsphere. The weight loss of the non-carbonized carbon microsphere was assessed through thermogravimetry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphology. The hydrolysis reaction of waste office paper fiber and synthesis mechanism of carbon microsphere under different conditions were evaluated. The results showed that when the reaction time reached 24 h, the product had uniform particle size and was well dispersed, and the more sulfuric acid present led to the waste office paper fiber being more thoroughly hydrolyzed.