Effect of MCM-41 preparation methods on the kinetics of catalytic pyrolysis of linear low density polyethylene

The effect of Al-MCM-41 preparation methods on the catalytic degradation of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) was investigated. Al-MCM-41 catalysts were synthesized by direct method (Al-MCM-41-D) and post treatment method (Al-MCM-41-P) and their characteristics were elucidated by XRD, BET, NH ₃ TPD, ²⁷Al MAS NMR. TGA kinetic analysis showed that the catalytic activation energies of Al-MCM-41-D and Al-MCM-41-P were 197.54 and 174.26 kJ/mol, respectively. The higher catalytic activity of Al-MCM-41-P would be attributed to its smaller pore size as well as higher number of acid sites that are accessible.