Temperature modulated DSC for composition analysis of recycled polyolefin blends

Post-consumer plastic waste contains blends of numerous types polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene (i-PP), whose recycling is challenging due to the complexity this stream. A comprehensive knowledge composition these recyclates essential understand structure-property relationship systems therefore upcycle them for high-value applications. To aim, we used Temperature Modulated DSC (TM-DSC) develop a quantitative method evaluate PE Low-density (LDPE) content in recycled polyolefin blends. TM-DSC was carried out on 29 virgin materials, spanning densities between 960 862 kg/m3, characterizing wide range microstructures. Moreover, several PE/i-PP model were prepared by selecting LDPE, High-density (HDPE) Linear (LLDPE) materials blend with i-PP three types: homopolymer (PP–H), block copolymer (PP–B) random (PP-R), mimicking real recyclates. Results from analysis allowed us establish methods quantifying amount overall also LDPE fraction within The developed applied post-consumer grades, results compared ones obtained Cross-Fractionation Chromatography (CFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, displaying good agreement latter method.