Catalytic degradation of polypropylene I. Screening of catalysts

The catalytic degradation of polypropylene has been investigated in this study. Solid acid catalysts, such as silica-alumina and zeolites (HZSM-5, natural zeolite, Mordenite etc.), were screened for polypropylene degradation in the range of 350-450 degrees C. The degradation products of polypropylene, especially a liquid fraction, formed over solid acid catalysts, were analyzed by GC/MS. The degradation products are distributed in a narrow range of carbon number compared with those obtained by thermal degradation. The liquid fraction contained large amounts of iso-paraffins and aromatics as are present in the gasoline fraction of petroleum. The natural zeolite catalyst (clinoptilolite structure, occurring in Youngil area of Korea) was an efficient catalyst for the polypropylene degradation. The acidity and characteristic pore structure of this zeolite appear to be responsible for the good performance. The effects of temperature and reaction time on the product distribution have also been studied in this work.