Jan Nisar - National Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Pakistan

An important pyrolysis gas chromatographic method has been developed for the rapid characterization of polystyrene using a pyrolyzer coupled with a gas chromatograph. The technique allows the accurate control and measurement of pyrolysis temperature. The experiments were performed in the absence and presence of catalyst. The products formed were accumulated in various vessels based on the volatility of each fraction. The gases obtained were analyzed by gas chromatography. TGA experiments were used to investigate how the catalyst is affecting the reduction in maximum degradation temperature (Tmax). Increase in reaction rate and reduction in Tmax were observed with increase in amount of catalyst. The qualitative and quantitative information obtained from these experiments is very helpful for the effective utilization of polystyrene and its waste for commercial use.

Polystyrene; Pyrolysis gas chromatography; TGA; Tmax; Catalyst