Catalytic Thermal Degradation of Polymers. Degradation of Polypropylene

Silica, alumina, silica-alumina and zeolites were screened as catalysts for polypropylene degradation in the range 200-600 ° C. The more efficient catalysts for oil production yielded C5-C12 olefins. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the reaction products gave information on the nature of the products and on the mechanism of the degradation.