Work

Influence of Molecular Weight and Temperature on the Pyrolysis Behavior of Polyethylene

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The pyrolysis technique is a useful recycling method for waste polyethylene (PE). Various PEs with different molecular weights have been produced and are widely used. The major pyrolysis products of PE include alkadienes (CnH2n−2), alkenes (CnH2n), and alkanes (CnH2n+2). In this study, the differences in pyrolysis behavior of PE based on its molecular weight and the pyrolysis temperature (423–764 °C) were investigated using four types of PEs, with Mw = 2.0 × 103, 16.0 × 103, 28.3 × 103, and 56.8 × 103 g/mol. More specifically, the pyrolysis products were compared in terms of their type (alkanes, alkenes, and alkadienes) and size (the number of carbon atoms). The order of production was alkenes > alkanes > alkadienes. The alkadiene/alkene ratios tended to increase with the PE molecular weight and size of the pyrolysis products. The alkadiene/alkene ratio increased until the pyrolysis temperature reached 670 °C. The alkane/alkene ratios tended to decrease as the PE molecular weight increased; however, they increased with the increasing size of the pyrolysis products. The alkane/alkene ratio decreased as the pyrolysis temperature increased, until it reached 670 °C. The formation of alkenes was more favorable than that of alkadienes and alkanes.

Source: Polymers

DOI: 10.3390/polym17050576

Authors: Eunji Chae, Sung-Seen Choi

Institution: Sejong University

Language: English

Topic: Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258