The structural modification of tyre-derived activated carbon (TDAC) after chemical activation is not sufficiently recognised yet, especially regarding its crystallinity and porosity. This study examined the development of the crystal structure of TDAC by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, concentrating on critical parameters like interplanar distance (d(002)), crystallite size (Lc), and crystalline percentage. Mixed tyres were pyrolysed at 550 °C to produce char and then chemically activated with KOH at different ratios and temperatures, thereafter undergoing structural characterisation. The results indicate that TDAC is mostly non-graphitizing, maintaining a disordered turbostratic structure even after activation. The widening of the (002) XRD peak and the lack of distinct (hkl) diffraction peaks validate its amorphous characteristics. Higher activation levels lead to an expanded surface area with decreasing crystallite size, signifying a shift towards higher disorder. This research examined the relationship among activation factors, porosity, and structural alterations, emphasising the compromise between crystallinity and surface area.

Tyre waste is a common form of non-degradable polymer-based solid waste. This solid waste can be effectively managed by converting it into char through the pyrolysis process and then further converting the char into activated carbon (AC) through physical and chemical activation processes. Tyre-derived activated carbon (TDAC) has versatile applications, such as its use as an absorber, catalyst, and electrode material, among others. This study aims to review the electrochemical properties of TDAC. This study employed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta analysis) bibliographic search methodology, with a specific focus on the application of TDAC in a wide variety of energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, potassium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. In several experimental studies, TDAC was utilised as an electrode in numerous energy devices due to its high specific capacitance properties. The study found that both activation processes can produce AC with a surface area ranging from 400 to 900 m²/g. However, the study also discovered that the surface morphology of TDAC influenced the electrochemical behaviours of the synthesised electrodes.