Interactions of lignin and LDPE during catalytic co-pyrolysis: Thermal behavior and kinetics study by TG-FTIR

Abstract Thermal behavior and interaction of Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and lignin with HZSM-5 as catalyst during catalytic co-pyrolysis were analyzed by thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR). The synergistic effect of lignin and hydrogen-rich LDPE decreased the starting temperature of pyrolysis and accelerated the pyrolysis rate. Kinetic analysis based on the Coats-Redfern method showed that HZSM-5 catalysis significantly decreased the reaction’s activation energy. FTIR results also indicated that the composition of pyrolysis products shifted to more alkane and aromatics by co-feeding the lignin with LDPE and catalyst HZSM-5.