Abstract
The effect of various solvents on the de-cross-linking reaction of cross-linked polyethylene under subcritical and supercritical conditions was studied. The gel content of the de-cross-linked polyethylene decreased from 60 to 0.8-2.5% at 380 °C within 5 min in all of the solvents tested in this study. When water, ethanol, and 2-propanol were used, the Mw of the de-cross-linked polyethylenes decreased from 349,000 to 200,000-227,000 g/mol, and much lower Mw values of 70,000-90,000 g/mol were observed when acetone and diisopropyl ether were used. The de-cross-linked polyethylenes treated in the different solvents had a very similar chemical structure to raw polyethylene. According to a kinetic study using a first-order reaction model, the de-cross-linking rate in each solvent increased in the order 2-propanol < ethanol < n-hexane < water < methanol ≪ diisopropyl ether ≪ acetone at 350 °C.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6633-6638 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 20 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 May 22 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- General Chemical Engineering
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering