Author(s)

Muhammad Salman^1*, Shazia Nisar¹, Zahid Hussain², Hina Salman², Mohib R. Kazimi³

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
²Institute of Chemistry International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
³Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.

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 T_on, T_max, T_99%, 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.

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), DSC, Pyrolysis, Catalytic Degradation, Polypropylene Waste Plastic, Catalysis

Salman, M. , Nisar, S. , Hussain, Z. , Salman, H. and Kazimi, M. (2015) TGA-DSC: A Screening Tool for the Evaluation of Hydrocracking Catalyst Performance. American Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 6, 364-375. doi: 10.4236/ajac.2015.64035.