Depolymerization of Polypropylene: A Systematic Review

Parag Kulkarni; Ruchika Pache

Abstract

AbstractPolypropylene have become an indispensable ingredient of human life and most widely used thermoplastic in commodity applications. Polymerization of propylene is carried out by using Ziegler-Natta or Metallocene catalysts, which results in high molecular weights and crystalline polypropylene which are not required for several applications. Reduction in molecular weight of polypropylene in conventional reactors is uneconomical and complicated. Therefore to overcome this problem researchers and technologists proposed a post reactor operation to reduce molecular weight (depolymerization) of polypropylene. To induce modification in polypropylene different techniques of depolymerization are proposed. In this review article, we have discussed various types of polypropylene depolymerization methods with their mechanisms like oxidative, thermal, high-energy radiation and chemical (free radical induced) depolymerization along with their effect on thermal, rheological, crystalline and chemical properties of the polypropylene. Keywords: Polypropylene, molecular weight, depolymerization, thermal depolymerization, rheology Cite this ArticleParag Kulkarni, Ruchika Pache. Depolymerization of Polypropylene: A Systematic Review. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2016; 4(2): 1–16p.