Pyrolysis kinetics of recycled polyesters

– The purpose of this paper is to study the non-isothermal degradation kinetics of recycled polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in a nitrogen atmosphere.

– To achieve this goal, the author utilized standard kinetic models, such as Coats-Redfern and Kissinger equations, for analysis of the TGA data.

– When applied to the TGA data, the Kissinger model resulted in a coefficient of determination (R2) value greater than 0.99.

– This study describes the maiden application of the Kissinger model to obtain the pre-exponential factor (A) and activation energy (E) for different polyester systems used in the textile industry.