An investigation into the catalytic cracking of LDPE using Py-GC/MS

Py-GC/MS analysis of pure LDPE at 700 °C generated a pyrogram with characteristic triplets corresponding to straight chain diene, alkene and alkane hydrocarbons of varying lengths. Catalytic degradation of LDPE over micrometer and nanocystalline HZSM-5 zeolites generated a similar range of degradation products with a marked increase in the light olefins and aromatic fractions (e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene) and complete elimination of heavier olefin and paraffin hydrocarbons. Despite its high catalytic activity, as determined by TG analysis, mesoporous Al-MCM-41 exhibited no shape selectivity in the products generated with a low proportion of aromatics and a higher content of olefin and paraffin species.