Thermal degradation of eco-friendly alternative plastics: kinetics and thermodynamics analysis

This work reports the thermal degradation behaviour, kinetics and thermodynamics of two different eco-friendly plastics, viz. non-woven plastic and corn starch-based biodegradable plastics, which are commonly used nowadays as an alternative to synthetic plastics. In this context, thermogravimetric analysis of plastic waste samples was carried out at wide range of heating rates of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 degrees C/min in nitrogen atmosphere, and activation energy is determined by first-order model-fitting method while thermodynamic parameters are determined on the basis of Eyring theory of activated complex. The regression coefficient obtained from kinetic study of thermal degradation of these plastics best fits to the first-order kinetic equation. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters obtained for both the plastics are found very close to each other. So, this study would help design more effective conversion system for the recycling of both the wastes together.