Real-Time Pyrolysis Dynamics of Thermally Aged Tire Microplastics by TGA-FTIR-GC/MS

Abstract

Tire wear particles (TWPs), as a type of thermosetting microplastic (MP), accumulate in aquatic environments due to their wide application in road traffic globally. The increase in temperature because of friction heat may cause aging of tire materials, inducing water evaporation, additive volatilization, polymer decomposition, and may pose serious potential risks to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. However, research on real-time pyrolysis dynamics of thermally aged tire MPs is very limited. In this study, a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TG-FTIR-GC/MS) was used to investigate pyrolysis behaviors and products of thermally aged tire MPs. FTIR analysis indicated that the main pyrolysis gases included carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, aliphatic compounds, aromatic compounds and carbonyl compounds. The GC/MS analysis further determined the main pyrolytic products, including methylbenzene, styrene, m-xylene and D-limonene. These data combined with TG analysis revealed that the main pyrolytic products of TWPs were released at 400–600 °C. Moreover, the results showed that the number of aliphatic/aromatic compounds released increased in short-term thermo-oxidative aging but decreased in long-term thermo-oxidative aging. Moreover, the aged TWPs presented higher released amounts of styrene and methylbenzene but lower amounts of D-limonene compared to the original TWPs. These results can provide new insights into the evaluation method of TWP aging and a better understanding on TWP fate in aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Photocatalysis toward Microplastics Conversion: A Critical Review

“…For instance, coupling thermal analysis with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TGA-FTIR-GC/MS) could facilitate the investigation of MPs thermal decomposition. 95 TGA-FTIR-GC/MS combines thermal analysis, spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry to enable real-time and dynamic analysis of cracking gas and cracking products while obtaining information on the weight loss of MPs. TGA-FTIR-GC/MS is considered to be a powerful tool for qualitative and quantitative studies of MPs.…”

“…A comprehensive understanding of the thermal decomposition characteristics of MPs can be achieved by integrating of thermal analysis techniques with other analytical methods. For instance, coupling thermal analysis with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TGA-FTIR-GC/MS) could facilitate the investigation of MPs thermal decomposition . TGA-FTIR-GC/MS combines thermal analysis, spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry to enable real-time and dynamic analysis of cracking gas and cracking products while obtaining information on the weight loss of MPs.…”

“…The volatiles of PUR at 300–500 °C were mainly primary amines, secondary amines, vinyl ethers, and CO 2 , etc. Bai et al used TG-FTIR-GC/MS to study the pyrolysis behaviors and products of tire microplastics (TWP MPs) . The pyrolysis products of TWP MPs were released in large quantities at 400–600 °C.…”

“…Bai et al used TG-FTIR-GC/MS to study the pyrolysis behaviors and products of tire microplastics (TWP MPs). 95 The pyrolysis products of TWP MPs were released in large quantities at 400−600 °C. FTIR and GC/MS identified the main pyrolysis gases and pyrolysis products of TWP MPs, respectively.…”