Study of thermal degradation products of disposable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using the High Resolution Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Selected Ion flow Tube Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Abstract
The industrial production of poly (ethylene terephthalate), PET, continues to increase and thus it is important to understand the composition of fumes resulting from its disposal as a part of incinerated waste. In this study samples of PET material were combusted in a furnace corresponding to the German standard DIN 53,436 at temperatures of 500 degrees C, 800 degrees C (in an air flow) and also uncontrolled combustion in air.
The gaseous products were then analysed using three different analytical methods: high resolution Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Carbon dioxide, methane, ethylene, acetylene, formaldehyde (methanal) and acetaldehyde (ethanal) were detected by FTIR.