Analysis of chlorine distribution in the pyrolysis products of poly(vinylidene chloride) mixed with polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene

The analysis of chlorine distribution in the pyrolysis products of poly(vinylidene chloride) PVDC mixed with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polystyrene (PS) were investigated [PE/PVDC, PP/PVDC, PS/PVDC and 3P/PVDC, where 3P is equal mixture of PE, PP and PS] and reported for the first time. The interaction of degradation products from individual (PE, PP and PS) and mixed (3P) plastics with the PVDC degradation products was investigated and compared with poly(vinyl chloride), PVC. The formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the liquid products were in the order of PS/PVDC > 3P/PVDC > PP/PVDC > PE/PVDC. Surprisingly, the quantities of chlorinated hydrocarbons were less compared with the pyrolysis liquid products of PVC mixed plastics even though the chlorine content in PVDC is higher than in PVC. The structurally similar chlorinated hydrocarbons were observed from PVDC or PVC with PE, PP, and PS liquid products. Thermogravimetric analysis results suggest that the decomposition temperature of PVDC is lower than PVC and major portion of chlorine (from PVDC) left the degradation reactor before the degradation of PP, PE, and PS.