Feedstock recycling of polyethylene over A1TUD-1 mesoporous catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic degradation of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated using AITUD-1 as catalyst, a recently discovered mesoporous alummosilicate. The catalytic activity of AITUD-1 was evaluated by TGA measurements, using a polymer/catalyst ratio of 9:1. AITUD-1 has a Bronsted acidic behaviour, three-dimensional (31)) connectivities and a pore diameters between 2 and 50 nm. Compared to HY zeolite, the large pore size of AITUD- I enhances a selective catalytic degradation of the polymer and prevents rapid deactivation. Moreover, the apparent activation energy of polymer cracking is much lower than with HY zeolite. For these reasons, AITUD- 1 is a potentially interesting catalyst for the catalytic cracking of plastic waste into liquid fuels. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights