Real-Time Pyrolysis Dynamics of Thermally Aged Tire Microplastics by TGA-FTIR-GC/MS

Tire wear particles (TWPs), as a type of thermosetting microplastic (MP), accumulate in aquatic environments due to their wide application road traffic globally. The increase temperature because friction heat may cause aging tire materials, inducing water evaporation, additive volatilization, polymer decomposition, and pose serious potential risks terrestrial ecosystems. However, research on real-time pyrolysis dynamics thermally aged MPs is very limited. In this study, thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry gas chromatography-mass (TG-FTIR-GC/MS) was used investigate behaviors products MPs. FTIR analysis indicated that the main gases included carbon dioxide, monoxide, aliphatic compounds, aromatic compounds carbonyl compounds. GC/MS further determined pyrolytic products, including methylbenzene, styrene, m-xylene D-limonene. These data combined TG revealed TWPs were released at 400–600 °C. Moreover, results showed number aliphatic/aromatic increased short-term thermo-oxidative but decreased long-term aging. presented higher amounts styrene methylbenzene lower D-limonene compared original TWPs. can provide new insights into evaluation method TWP better understanding fate environments.