Operando infrared and inelastic neutron scattering studies of zeolite catalysed low-density polyethylene degradation

Emma Campbell; Katie S. C. Morton; Alexander J. O’Malley; Sandie E. Dann; Pierre Moreau; Ian P. Silverwood; Simon A. Kondrat; Andrew M. Beale; Matthew E. Potter

doi:10.1039/D4CC06209D

Operando infrared and inelastic neutron scattering studies of zeolite catalysed low-density polyethylene degradation†

Emma Campbell,^ab Katie S. C. Morton,^bc Alexander J. O’Malley,

^bc Sandie E. Dann,

^d Pierre Moreau,^de Ian P. Silverwood,

^bf Simon A. Kondrat,

^d Andrew M. Beale

^bg and Matthew E. Potter

*^bc

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

^a School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK

^b UK Catalysis Hub, Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, UK
E-mail: mep61@bath.ac.uk

^c Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK

^d Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK

^e Plastic Energy ltd., Charnwood Building, Loughborough LE11 3GB, UK

^f ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, UK

^g Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK

Abstract

The degradation of polyethylene (LDPE) by H-ZSM-5 is investigated by vibrational spectroscopy, using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS). DRIFTS results indicate initial interaction between LDPE and external silanol groups, and hydrogen bonding with some Brønsted acid sites. At low temperatures both techniques suggest minimal interactions between the LDPE and the internal acid site of the zeolite, suggesting initial interactions are primarily with the zeolite surface. At higher reaction temperatures, oligomerisation is observed on Brønsted acid sites.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC06209D
Article type: Communication
Submitted: 22 Huk 2024
Accepted: 28 Kul 2025
First published: 01 Dzi 2025
This article is Open Access

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Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 6603-6606

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Operando infrared and inelastic neutron scattering studies of zeolite catalysed low-density polyethylene degradation

E. Campbell, K. S. C. Morton, A. J. O’Malley, S. E. Dann, P. Moreau, I. P. Silverwood, S. A. Kondrat, A. M. Beale and M. E. Potter, Chem. Commun., 2025, 61, 6603 DOI: 10.1039/D4CC06209D

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Chemical Communications

Operando infrared and inelastic neutron scattering studies of zeolite catalysed low-density polyethylene degradation†

Abstract

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Operando infrared and inelastic neutron scattering studies of zeolite catalysed low-density polyethylene degradation

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