Aguado, JoséSerrano, D.P.Escola, J. M.Peral, A.2010-04-232010-04-232008Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 85 (1-2), 352-358http://hdl.handle.net/10115/3791Catalytic cracking of low density polyethylene (LDPE) has been investigated using different samples of mordenite zeolite as catalysts. In order to obtain materials with different textural properties, a new synthesis method based on the functionalization of the zeolite seeds with an organosilane was employed. Mordenite samples with BET and external surface areas in the range 385-485 m2/g and 9-57 m2/g respectively, were prepared. LDPE catalytic cracking reactions were performed at 420 ºC for 2h in a batch reactor provided with a screw stirrer under a continuous nitrogen flow. Thermal cracking of LDPE leads to plastic conversion lower than 30%, while values of 40% are reached when traditional mordenite is used as catalyst. In contrast, when mordenite samples with enhanced textural properties were employed, a plastic conversion of 60% is attained, both gas (C1-C5) and gasoline (C6-C12) fractions being obtained as main products. On the contrary, gasoline fraction is not observed and a heavier hydrocarbon fraction in the range C13-C35 is detected when thermal cracking or even catalytic cracking over traditional mordenite samples are carried out. The formation of lighter hydrocarbon products (C6-C12) over mordenite samples with enhanced textural properties is assigned to the higher activity and accessibility of their acid sites, which promotes both end-chain and random scission cracking reactions of the polymer molecules.enAtribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 Españahttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/Medio Ambienteinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article10.1016/j.jaap.2008.10.009info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess23 Química