Integrated Chemical–Thermal Activation of Pyrolyzed Used Tire-Derived Char for Enhanced Total Organic-Carbon Adsorption from Starch Processing Wastewater

To address environmental concerns regarding scrap tire waste in South Africa, this study enhanced pyrolyzed used tire-derived activated char (PUTDC) using an aqua-regia/KOH/CH3CO2K treatment.Thermal activation at 650 °C produced LPUTDCC, which demonstrated a significantly improved Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 85 m 2 /g and a reduced sulfur content of 0.6 w/w %.When applied to starch manufacturing wastewater, LPUTDCC achieved 80% total organic carbon removal at pH 5.These findings indicate that LPUTDCC is an effective, low-cost adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment.The results further suggest that blending PUTDC with commercial carbon can produce sustainable materials to mitigate environmental pollution.