MORPHOLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF POLYMER COMPONENTS IN ELECTRONIC WASTE

Nowadays, the recycling of polymers, including those contained in waste electrical and electronic equipment, is relevant. The possibility and method of polymer recycling depend on their composition and properties. The purpose of this study is to analyse the composition of the main polymeric components of e-waste, typical impurities, and their impact on the properties of materials based on literature data. The article discusses the chemical composition of polymers used in electrical and electronic equipment, in particular acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), styrene-acrylonitrile resin (SAN), polycarbonate (PC), polyurethane (PU), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). It is investigated that large appliances and devices, monitors, and TVs of the old model (with a cathode ray tube) contain the smallest number of different polymers - up to 10 different types, while in other devices the number of different polymers is much higher. Typical impurities included in the composition of each of these polymers are also analysed: antioxidants, stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, dyes, modifiers, and residual monomers. In particular, the impurities include several potentially hazardous substances that can cause environmental risks in the further management of waste electrical and electronic equipment. We have identified shortcomings that can reduce the productivity of further recycling: the lack of polymer identification marks, the use of several different types of polymers in one type of equipment, and the combination of plastic and metal in the equipment, which creates problems for the recycling of both fractions. Further research should be aimed at developing safer polymer modifications and efficient methods of recycling.