Effect of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) on the pyrolysis of brominated flame retardant-containing high-impact polystyrene (HIPS-Br)

Thallada Bhaskar*, Nona Merry M. Mitan, Jude A. Onwudili, Akinori Muto, Paul T. Williams, Yusaku Sakata

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Pyrolysis of brominated flame retardant-containing high-impact polystyrene (HIPS-Br) was performed at 430°C in the presence of 0.1 wt% of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in a Pyrex glass reactor. Two different types of brominated flame retardants (decabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ethane) with or without antimony trioxide (as synergist) 5 wt% were used. The presence of PET had a significant effect on the material balance, decreasing the gaseous product and increasing the residue. The type of flame retardant had no effect on the yield of liquid product; however, the presence of Sb resulted in a marked difference in the distribution of decomposition products. Analysis by a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector showed that the hydrocarbons were distributed in the range n-C7 to n-C25 with major peaks at n-C9 and n-C17. The presence of PET increased the formation of brominated compounds by several times and affected both the type and quantity of polybrominated compounds. The liquid products obtained from the pyrolysis of HIPS-Br/PET have to be treated before they can be used

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)332-340
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Material Cycles and Waste Management
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2010

Keywords

  • Dioxins
  • e-waste plastics
  • Flame retardant
  • HIPS-Br
  • PET

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