Effect of some thermally unstable magnesium compounds on the yield of char formed from poly(ethylene terephthalate)

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 107; no. 3; pp. 1147 - 1154
• Main Authors: Przepiórski, Jacek, Karolczyk, Justyna, Tsumura, Tomoki, Toyoda, Masahiro, Inagaki, Michio, Morawski, Antoni W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-03-2012; Springer
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Applied sciences; Carbonates; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Ethylene; Exact sciences and technology; Hydroxides; Inorganic Chemistry; Magnesium compounds; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Physical Chemistry; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer Sciences; Pyrolysis; Technology of polymers; Waste treatment; Heat treatment; Thermogravimetric analysis; Magnesium compounds; Poly(ethylene terephthalate); Ethylene terephthalate polymer; Magnesium Carbonates; Thermogravimetry; Thermodesorption; X ray diffraction; Carbonization; Programmed temperature; Char; Magnesium Hydroxides; Thermal analysis; Recycling; Magnesium Oxides; Magnesium Compounds
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926; 1572-8943
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-011-1910-1

Mixtures of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with magnesium compounds including carbonate, hydroxide, and oxide, with different weight ratios of the components, were subjected to thermogravimetric measurements up to 850 °C in argon atmosphere. For reference, pure components of the examined mixtures were analyzed at the same conditions. During the heating, PET underwent carbonization and magnesium carbonate and hydroxide decomposed to MgO with evolution of gaseous products (CO
2
and/or H
2
O). As found, carbon yields calculated from the residual masses depended on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the starting mixture. Yields of carbon obtained from PET mixed with MgO did not depend on MgO/PET ratio. However, yields of carbon formed through pyrolysis of PET contained in the mixture with either magnesium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide were in general higher and depended on the weight ratio of components in the starting material. Reasons of these inconsistent results are discussed and explained. An influence of gasification of char on the carbon yield is explained.