Catalytic Pyrolysis of Polypropylene Using Nickel Supported Sago Waste Activated Carbon for Liquid Fuel
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32492/nucleus.v5i1.5102Keywords:
catalytic, polypropylene, nickel catalyst, activated carbon, liquid hydrocarbonsAbstract
The catalytic pyrolysis of polypropylene (PP) has attracted considerable attention as a promising approach for converting plastic waste into valuable fuels; however, the development of low-cost and sustainable catalysts remains a major challenge. In this study, the catalytic pyrolysis of polypropylene was conducted to investigate the effect of nickel supported on activated carbon (Ni/AC) derived from sago waste on liquid yield and hydrocarbon selectivity. Pyrolysis experiments were performed at 500 °C using catalyst loadings of 2.5 g, 5 g, and 7.5 g, alongside a non-catalytic run for comparison. The introduction of Ni/AC significantly enhanced liquid production compared to thermal pyrolysis, with the optimum yield achieved at moderate catalyst loading. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed that the liquid fraction was mainly composed of hydrocarbons in the gasoline (C₅–C₁₂) and diesel (C₁₃–C₂₀) ranges. Higher catalyst loading promoted secondary cracking, shifting selectivity toward gaseous products. These findings demonstrate that Ni/AC catalysts from sago waste provide an effective and sustainable approach for converting plastic waste into fuel-like hydrocarbons, underscoring their potential role in plastic waste valorization and sustainable energy development.
References
H. Ritchie, V. Samborska, and M. Roser, “Plastic Pollution,” Our World Data, Nov. 2023, Accessed: Sep. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution
K. Ziani et al., “Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review,” Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 3, p. 617, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.3390/nu15030617.
OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options. OECD, 2022. doi: 10.1787/de747aef-en.
K. L. H. dan Kehutanan, “KLHK Ajak Masyarakat ‘Gaya Hidup Minim Sampah’ Dalam Festival LIKE 2,” KLHK Ajak Masyarakat “Gaya Hidup Minim Sampah” Dalam Festival LIKE 2. Accessed: Sep. 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.menlhk.go.id/news/klhk-ajak-masyarakat-gaya-hidup-minim-sampah-dalam-festival-like-2
J. Deng et al., “Co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste into carbon materials with environmental applications: a critical review,” Green Chem., vol. 27, no. 22, pp. 6320–6341, 2025, doi: 10.1039/D4GC04842C.
M. M. Harussani, S. M. Sapuan, U. Rashid, A. Khalina, and R. A. Ilyas, “Pyrolysis of polypropylene plastic waste into carbonaceous char: Priority of plastic waste management amidst COVID-19 pandemic,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 803, p. 149911, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149911.
H. Yaqoob, H. Muhammad Ali, and U. Khalid, “Pyrolysis of waste plastics for alternative fuel: a review of key factors,” RSC Sustain., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 208–218, 2025, doi: 10.1039/D4SU00504J.
Z. Shareefdeen and A. T. ElGazar, “Management of Plastic Wastes through Recent Advanced Pyrolysis Processes,” Appl. Sci., vol. 14, no. 14, p. 6156, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.3390/app14146156.
T. Maqsood, J. Dai, Y. Zhang, M. Guang, and B. Li, “Pyrolysis of plastic species: A review of resources and products,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis, vol. 159, p. 105295, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jaap.2021.105295.
A. Antelava et al., “Energy Potential of Plastic Waste Valorization: A Short Comparative Assessment of Pyrolysis versus Gasification,” Energy Fuels, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 3558–3571, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c04017.
N. Javed et al., “Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan,” Polymers, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 24, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.3390/polym15010024.
G. Zhang, Q. Mao, Y. Yue, R. Gao, Y. Duan, and H. Du, “Ni-based catalysts supported on Hbeta zeolite for the hydrocracking of waste polyolefins,” RSC Adv., vol. 14, no. 23, pp. 15856–15861, May 2024, doi: 10.1039/D4RA02809K.
W. Luo et al., “Catalytic Activity and Reusability of Nickel-Based Catalysts with Different Biochar Supports during Copyrolysis of Biomass and Plastic,” ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng., vol. 10, no. 30, pp. 9933–9945, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c02392.
H. Husin et al., “Conversion of polypropylene-derived crude pyrolytic oils using hydrothermal autoclave reactor and ni/aceh natural zeolite as catalysts,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 4, p. e14880, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14880.
B. Qu, T. Wang, X. Ji, T. Qin, Y. S. Zhang, and G. Ji, “Effect of reduction temperatures of Ni-modified zeolites on the product distribution, catalyst deactivation, and reaction mechanism during polypropylene pyrolysis,” Fuel, vol. 384, p. 133947, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133947.
X. Hong et al., “Hierarchical nitrogen-doped porous carbon with high surface area derived from endothelium corneum gigeriae galli for high-performance supercapacitor,” Electrochimica Acta, vol. 130, pp. 464–469, Jun. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.03.015.
M. C. Silva et al., “H3PO4–activated carbon fibers of high surface area from banana tree pseudo-stem fibers: Adsorption studies of methylene blue dye in batch and fixed bed systems,” J. Mol. Liq., vol. 324, p. 114771, Feb. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114771.
F. Kurniawansyah, R. D. Pertiwi, M. Perdana, M. Al-Muttaqii, and A. Roesyadi, “Development of Bamboo - Derived Activated Carbon as Catalyst Support for Glucose Hydrogenation,” Mater. Sci. Forum, vol. 988, pp. 108–113, Apr. 2020, doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.988.108.
M. Iwanow, T. Gärtner, V. Sieber, and B. König, “Activated carbon as catalyst support: precursors, preparation, modification and characterization,” Beilstein J. Org. Chem., vol. 16, pp. 1188–1202, Jun. 2020, doi: 10.3762/bjoc.16.104.
O. Togibasa, M. Mumfaijah, Y. K. Allo, K. Dahlan, and Y. O. Ansanay, “The Effect of Chemical Activating Agent on the Properties of Activated Carbon from Sago Waste,” Appl. Sci., vol. 11, no. 24, p. 11640, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.3390/app112411640.
O. Togibasa, K. Dahlan, Y. O. Ansanay, A. F. Runggaweri, and M. Merani, “Surface modification of activated carbon from sago waste,” J. Met. Mater. Miner., vol. 33, no. 1, Art. no. 1, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.55713/jmmm.v33i1.1616.
N. Che Su, A. A. Basirun, N. S. Hameed Sultan, D. Kanakaraju, and C. D. Wilfred, “Modified Nanocellulose-Based Adsorbent from Sago Waste for Diclofenac Removal,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 7, Art. no. 7, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.3390/su15075650.
N. A. Dahlan, L. W. Lee, J. Pushpamalar, and S. L. Ng, “Adsorption of methylene blue onto carboxymethyl sago pulp-immobilized sago waste hydrogel beads,” Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol., vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 2047–2058, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1007/s13762-018-1789-5.
T. C. Sunarti, S. D. Yanti, and E. Ruriani, “Two-steps microwave-assisted treatment on acid hydrolysis of sago pith for bioethanol production,” IOP Conf. Ser. Earth Environ. Sci., vol. 65, no. 1, p. 012052, May 2017, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/65/1/012052.
M. Thommes et al., “Physisorption of gases, with special reference to the evaluation of surface area and pore size distribution (IUPAC Technical Report),” Pure Appl. Chem., vol. 87, no. 9–10, pp. 1051–1069, Oct. 2015, doi: 10.1515/pac-2014-1117.
K. S. W. Sing, “Reporting physisorption data for gas/solid systems with special reference to the determination of surface area and porosity (Recommendations 1984),” Pure Appl. Chem., vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 603–619, Jan. 1985, doi: 10.1351/pac198557040603.
L. Wu, Y. Li, Z. Fu, and B.-L. Su, “Hierarchically structured porous materials: synthesis strategies and applications in energy storage,” Natl. Sci. Rev., vol. 7, no. 11, pp. 1667–1701, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaa183.
H.-S. Jeong and B.-J. Kim, “Effects of Nickel Impregnation on the Catalytic Removal of Nitric Oxide by Polyimide-Based Activated Carbon Fibers,” Nanomaterials, vol. 13, no. 16, p. 2297, Aug. 2023, doi: 10.3390/nano13162297.
Z. Refaat et al., “Efficient CO2 methanation using nickel nanoparticles supported mesoporous carbon nitride catalysts,” Sci. Rep., vol. 13, no. 1, p. 4855, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-31958-1.
J. Du, A. Chen, S. Hou, and J. Guan, “CNT modified by mesoporous carbon anchored by Ni nanoparticles for CO2 electrochemical reduction,” Carbon Energy, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 1274–1284, 2022, doi: 10.1002/cey2.223.
L. Jianming, Z. Jin, J. Shang, and Z. Jianguo, “Synergistic effect of porous carbon shell confinement and catalytic conversion of nickel nanoparticle cores for improved lithium–sulfur batteries,” RSC Adv., vol. 13, no. 19, pp. 12792–12798, 2023, doi: 10.1039/D3RA01339A.
Q. Song, X. Yin, and H. Zhang, “Ni-MOF-74 Derived Carbon-Based Ni Catalysts for Efficient Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis via Pulsed DBD Plasma,” Plasma Process. Polym., vol. 22, no. 3, p. 2400173, 2025, doi: 10.1002/ppap.202400173.
C. Jia et al., “Highly Ordered Hierarchical Porous Single-Atom Fe Catalyst with Promoted Mass Transfer for Efficient Electroreduction of CO2,” Adv. Energy Mater., vol. 13, no. 37, p. 2302007, 2023, doi: 10.1002/aenm.202302007.
A. I. Eldahshory, K. Emara, M. S. Abd-Elhady, and M. A. Ismail, “Catalytic pyrolysis of waste polypropylene using low-cost natural catalysts,” Sci. Rep., vol. 13, p. 11766, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37769-8.
W. Cai et al., “Catalytic pyrolysis of polypropylene waste for liquid fuels production using Ni/Al-MOF-derived catalysts,” Sustain., vol. 4, p. 100059, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.nxsust.2024.100059.
Y. Peng et al., “A review on catalytic pyrolysis of plastic wastes to high-value products,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 254, p. 115243, Feb. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115243.
A. Fivga and I. Dimitriou, “Pyrolysis of plastic waste for production of heavy fuel substitute: A techno-economic assessment,” Energy, vol. 149, no. C, pp. 865–874, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.02.094.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Syukrika Putri, Nurmalasari Nurmalasari, Suci Ramadani, Dian Safitri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
