The Use of Low Cost Nanoporous Catalysts on the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate.

This study evaluated the feasibility of low-cost nanoporous catalysts, such as dolomite and red mud, on the production of aromatic hydrocarbons via the catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Compared to the non-catalytic pyrolysis of PET, catalytic pyrolysis over both dolomite and red mud produced larger amounts of aromatic hydrocarbons owing to their catalytic cracking efficiency and decarboxylation efficiency. Between the two catalysts, red mud, having a larger BET surface area and higher basicity than dolomite, showed higher efficiency for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons.