An unwanted by-product of incomplete combustion or
pyrolysis. Soot generated within flames consists essentially of aggregates of spheres of carbon.
Soot found in domestic fireplace chimneys contains few aggregates but may contain
substantial amounts of particulate fragments of
coke or
char. Soot from diesel engines consists essentially of aggregates together with tars and
resins. For historical reasons, the term soot is sometimes incorrectly used for
carbon black. This misleading use should be avoided.
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 473
(Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations
1995))
on page 504