Abstract
Comparison of waste polyethylene decomposition with and without the zeolite catalyst has been carried out under the conditions of temperature range 160-360°C for 60min. The waste polyethylene having functional groups was almost converted to the cross-linked polyethylene. The molecular weight of degraded polyethylene which was soluble in hot xylene increased remarkably at the elevated temperature. These reaction were inverse to those of undegraded polyethylene decomposition. Formation of cross-linked polymer and increase in molecular weight seems to be specific reaction for waste polyethylene having the >C= O and >C= C< groups. These reactions may possibly be applied to recyclings for the utilization of waste polyethylene.
