Analytical pyrolysis for the study of complex mixtures of natural and synthetic polymers

The project explored innovative approaches based on analytical pyrolysis for the characterization of natural and synthetic polymers in the fields of renewable energy. Fast pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is a powerful tool for the study of polymers, as it reveals the chemistry of their decomposition pathway with an extensive control of the experimental parameters. The major aim of the project was the understanding of the complex reactions and synergistic effects that exist during the co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics. A “bottom-up” approach was adopted, starting with the study of the simplest polymers and moving to more complex systems in order to carry out a systematic study about how polymers behave and interact under pyrolysis.