Latest Trends in Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography for Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis of Plastics

Abstract

Pyrolysis is considered a promising method for polymer characterization (in the field of analytical pyrolysis) and for chemical feedstock recovery from plastic wastes (in the field of applied pyrolysis) because it can decompose any polymeric material into smaller molecules by applying heat alone in an inert atmosphere. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography (Py-GC) involves pyrolyzing polymeric materials in a micropyrolyzer and the subsequent direct GC analysis of pyrolyzates. Py-GC has immense potential for application in the fields of both analytical and applied pyrolysis, allowing rapid and accurate analysis of pyrolyzates. This is beneficial for elucidating microstructure and composition of polymers and for rapid screening of pyrolysis conditions for designing feedstock recycling processes. In this review, we examined latest research trends in Py-GC for application in polymer characterization, analysis of plastics in environment, and chemical feedstock recovery from plastics.

Production of BTX via Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis of Printed Circuit Boards and Waste Tires Using Hierarchical ZSM-5 Zeolites and Biochar

“…The microscale continuous reactors enable an independent temperature control and accurate online analysis of volatile products. 23 Hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts were synthesized for converting PCB-derived phenolic compounds into high-value aromatics. The debromination performance of biochar obtained via biomass pyrolysis was investigated.…”

“…Ex situ CFP was conducted in a tandem μ-reactor system equipped with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TR-GC/MS). The microscale continuous reactors enable an independent temperature control and accurate online analysis of volatile products . Hierarchical ZSM-5 catalysts were synthesized for converting PCB-derived phenolic compounds into high-value aromatics.…”

Improving levoglucosan and hydrocarbon production through gas-phase synergy during cellulose and polyolefin co-pyrolysis

“…[17][18][19] In particular, polyolens (PE: polyethylene; PP: polypropylene) account for half of the plastic waste production and contain a high hydrogen content; they can act as hydrogen donors to improve the pyrolytic reaction of hydrogen-decient biomass. [20][21][22] A layered thin-lm sample (PE at the top and cellulose at the bottom) was designed by Nallar et al, to increase the LG and hydrocarbon yields by inhibiting the escape of the cellulose pyrolyzate. 23 In our previous studies, beechwood pyrolysis in a PE melt at 350 C was shown to deliver a 70% increase in LG yield because dispersing LG in the PE melt physically prevented its intermolecular condensation and ringopening decomposition.…”

Quantification of Cellulose Pyrolyzates via a Tube Reactor and a Pyrolyzer-Gas Chromatograph/Flame Ionization Detector-Based System

“…This can be achieved with micropyrolyzer-gas chromatography (Py-GC) systems, which are often applied in analytical and applied pyrolysis of plastics and biomass. 16 , 17 Py-GC/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) has also been actively applied for the investigation of cellulose pyrolysis mechanisms. 18 , 19 Also, Py-GC analysis does not require a solvent for pyrolyzate recovery, which can limit issues such as pyrolyzate solubility and solvent overlap with the pyrolyzate peaks.…”

“…Therefore, to prevent levoglucosan repolymerization, it is necessary to facilitate its rapid escape from the heating zone of the pyrolysis reactor; further, low concentrations of levoglucosan and its rapid quenching are necessitated. This can be achieved with micropyrolyzer-gas chromatography (Py-GC) systems, which are often applied in analytical and applied pyrolysis of plastics and biomass. , Py-GC/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) has also been actively applied for the investigation of cellulose pyrolysis mechanisms. , Also, Py-GC analysis does not require a solvent for pyrolyzate recovery, which can limit issues such as pyrolyzate solubility and solvent overlap with the pyrolyzate peaks. However, most of the studies on Py-GC/MS have evaluated pyrolysis product distributions based on the percentage of the chromatogram area, which does not reflect the yield of the products.…”