Influence of copper chloride for the formation of aromatic compounds during polyethylene pyrolysis

Infrared image furnace ion-attachment mass spectrometry (IIF-IAMS) experiments have been conducted to elucidate the effects of copper(II) chloride on the formation of aromatic compounds during the pyrolysis of polyethylene. Under the time-resolved pyrolysis conditions of IIF-IAMS, the effects of CuCl2 were measured to compare the variation in ratios of alkenes and aromatics during polyethylene thermal degradation when pyrolysis temperature was increased. Thermogravimetry experiments and X-ray powder diffraction analysis conducted under similar conditions to those used for IIF-IAMS enabled us to characterize the oxidation states of copper prevailing during the thermal degradation process of polyethylene in the presence of CuCl2. Reduction of Cu(II) into Cu(I) during the pyrolysis process was characterized. The IIF-IAMS method demonstrates its advantage for on-line detection of reaction products during time-resolved pyrolysis experiments.