Facile characterization of polymer fractions from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) for mechanical recycling.
In view of the environmental problem involved in the management of WEEE, and then in the recycling of post-consumer plastic of WEEE there is a pressing need for rapid measurement technologies for simple identification of the various commercial plastic materials and of the several contaminants, to improve the recycling of such wastes. This research is focused on the characterization and recycling of two types of plastics, namely plastic from personal computer (grey plastic) and plastic from television (black plastic). Various analytical techniques were used to monitor the compositions of WEEE. Initially, the chemical structure of each plastic material was identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Polymeric contaminants of these plastics, in particular brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were detected in grey plastics only using different techniques. These techniques are useful for a rapid, correct and economics identification of a large volumes of WEEE plastics.
Taurino
Rosa
R
Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Ingegneria dei Materiali e dell' Ambiente, Via Vignolese 905/A, 41100 Modena, Italy. rosa.taurino@unimore.it
Pozzi
Paolo
P
Zanasi
Tania
T
D017605:Bromine Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D059029:Electronic Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D059027:Recycling; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D018505:Waste Management
D017605:Bromine Compounds; D005411:Flame Retardants; D010969:Plastics; D011108:Polymers