Carbon black carbon is a form of elemental carbon. It is black in color and is used as a dye, a reinforcing agent in rubber products, and an insulator and conductor of electricity in other products. Carbon black is a product of incomplete combustion which occurs when fuels such as oils, petroleum, or coal are burned in limited oxygen or in a reducing atmosphere. It is a material composed of fine particles ranging in size from 0.1 – 10 microns in diameter. Carbon black can also be produced from other sources such as gasified tar, natural gas, and acetylene.
Carbon black particles are aggregates of graphite or carbon structures ranging in particle size from 0.1 - 10 microns. It is a rigid, brittle material that is thermally stable and relatively unreactive to most chemicals, except for strong acids and caustic solutions. Common uses for carbon black include its use in rubber tires and other rubber products, plastic compounds, dyes, inks, and paints. Carbon black is also used as an additive in many industries including the automotive and construction industry.
Carbon black is also used in the production of activated carbon, an adsorbent that can be used to remove pollutants from air and water. Carbon black can also be used as a conductive material for electronics, a heat-retaining compound in space blankets, and is also used in fireproofing products. Carbon black is a major component of photovoltaic roofing materials, used to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. It is also used in batteries and solar panels.
The production of carbon black is a complicated process that requires specific equipment and a controlled atmosphere. In the first step, the fuel is burned in a restricted air environment. The air oxidizes the hydrocarbons in the fuel to produce volatile molecules of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. These molecules then combust to produce an array of small particles that make up carbon black.
The carbon black particles generated by the process are extremely small and are composed of about 90% carbon with trace amounts of other elements, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Carbon black particles are typically SEM spherical, consisting of multiple layers of graphene sheets surrounding a void nuclei. The particles are highly stable, with a narrow particle size distribution, that makes them attractive for use in various industrial applications.
Additionally, carbon black is a heat-resistant material, with a good thermal conductivity due to the presence of thermal-stable strong covalent bonds. Carbon black is also relatively inexpensive, making it an attractive choice for many applications. The material has excellent abrasion-resistance, low thermal expansion, and superior electrical properties, making it an ideal material for insulation.
Overall, carbon black is an important industrial material used in a variety of applications. It is produced via the combustion of specific hydrocarbons, resulting in an array of particles composed of multiple layers of graphene sheets surrounding a void nuclei. Carbon black is a heat-resistant material, with excellent abrasion-resistance, low thermal expansion, and superior electrical properties. Its relatively low cost and widespread availability also makes it an attractive choice for commercial use.
