Abstract
This study aimed to synthesize a high-value product, silicon carbide (SiC) whickers, using carbon black from recycled tires and waste silicon dioxide obtained from the photovoltaic industry via mechanical and thermal activation (IMTA) technology. Diverse whisker morphologies, including needle-like, nanowire-like, bamboo-like, and bead-like structures, were obtained. Furthermore, the effects of the synthesis parameters, such as the ball milling time, carbon‒silicon molar ratio, pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis time, on the quality of the SiC whiskers were investigated. The results showed that the carbon‒silicon ratio had the greatest impact on whisker formation, followed by the pyrolysis temperature, pyrolysis time, and ball-milling time. The purity of the synthesized silicon carbide whiskers was observed in the range of 42.63%-54.84%. Both the pyrolysis temperature and time improved the properties of the SiC. Additionally, the strength, hardness, abrasion resistance of the rubber and wear-resistant paint could be improved by adding less than 4% synthesized SiC whiskers, as confirmed via commercial product testing. The excellent performance of the synthesized SiC whiskers and the competitive market advantage of improving the product quality at a low economic cost were confirmed in this study.