Abstract
DSC-TGA was used for screening of commercially available and synthesized catalyst for the degradation of polypropylene (PP). In this study, all the runs were performed with 50% load of the catalyst and the results were compared with those of PP + 50% pure silica having no catalytic activity. The degradation behavior of PP using catalyst Zeolyst-713 exhibited much higher degradation activity among the other catalysts used in this study. Moreover, it contributed to lowering of initial stage temperature showing a shape-selective effect. DSC-TGA tools such as Ton, Tmax, T99%, activation energy, enthalpy change in the process and coke content were used for screening. It was concluded that the pore construction and unique acid properties of the Zeolyst-713 as well as proper reaction temperatures were significant influential factors to fully exert this effect. In this work, kinetics of catalytic thermogravimetric degradation of PP used for domestic purposes was investigated using Alumino-silicate catalyst. Zeolyst-713 was observed to lower activation energy and enhances degradation activity in comparison with thermal degradation without a catalyst.
Highlights
The quanta of plastic wastes generated by our society are on the rise
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) facilitates the investigation on degradation kinetics during pyrolysis of waste plastics [14]-[18]
The values of Ton and temperature of maximum rate of degradation (Tmax) are correlated with the kinetics and the mechanism of the degradation
Summary
The quanta of plastic wastes generated by our society are on the rise. There is no option except recycling for conservation of resources and environment [1]. Polypropylene, one of the core components of waste plastic is widely used as industrial thermoplastic. Among available options catalytic degradation requires lower temperatures ranging from 350 ̊C to 550 ̊C than thermal ranging between 500 ̊C to 900 ̊C, with production of more valuable products [2]-[8]. Several studies have been reported using known hydro-cracking catalyst widely used in oil industry. The higher the acidity of the catalyst, the higher is the resultant degradation with an increase in volatile saturated products. This study screens the synthesized and commercially available catalyst performance of varying acidity, pore volume and surface area by TGA indices. TGA facilitates the investigation on degradation kinetics during pyrolysis of waste plastics [14]-[18]. TGA method developed here for catalytic degradation would help in the development of cheaper catalyst
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