Influence of molecular characteristics and size effects in polystyrene pyrolysis

Understanding the structure-property-process relationships in pyrolysis-based recycling of polymers offers new possibilities, like, energy-efficient process designs and tailored products. With the consideration of sample size as well as thermal rate effects, the influence of the molecular weight distribution of polystyrene on the pyrolysis kinetics is investigated. It is shown that molecular weight distribution significantly impacts pyrolysis kinetics. Thermal rate and sample weight affect the material conversion rate and are decisive for determining the thermal processing window.