emission reduction using pet-based activated carbon: influence of plastic type and adsorbent mass

Motor vehicle emissions contribute significantly to environmental pollution, requiring effective and sustainable control strategies. this study investigated the use of activated carbon derived from polyethylene terephthalate (pet) waste for exhaust gas treatment. pet plastic was thermally treated, carbonized, and chemically activated to enhance porosity. the effects of plastic type and adsorbent mass on the adsorption of carbon monoxide (co), hydrocarbons (hc), and nitrogen oxides (nox) were evaluated. results showed that both factors significantly influenced adsorption performance, with the highest co reduction (up to 80%) achieved using high-purity pet and an adsorbent mass of 5 g. these findings indicate that pet-based activated carbon has potential to be a sustainable and cost-effective material for reducing vehicle emissions.