Towards a greater olefin share in polypropylene cracking - Amorphous mesoporous aluminosilicate competes with zeolites

For plastic waste cracking the path for production of high olefins yield without loose in gasoline fraction is an intriguing option. Among the commercial FAU zeolites of different properties and mesoporous HAlMCM-48 materials, the catalysts of polypropylene (PP) cracking being able to operate in low-temperature regime was searched. The aim was to investigate the effects of the presence of mesopore system in the context of internal and external acidic features on PP cracking. The advanced operando FT-IR and UV-vis characterization coupled with GC and MS analysis offered insight into the nature of active species during cracking reaction as well as into the nature of coke deposit formed after reaction. The results for series of FAU zeolites were faced with mesoporous HAIMCM-48 as the catalyst of similar cracking competence, as it will be documented.

Automated summary

This study explored the production of high olefins yield from plastic waste without losing gasoline fraction, by comparing different properties of commercial FAU zeolites and mesoporous materials. A polypropylene (PP) cracking catalyst suitable for low-temperature operation was found. Advanced characterization techniques and analysis methods provided insights into the active species during cracking reaction and the nature of coke deposit formed after reaction.