Formulation and Characterization of Adhesive Produced From Polystyrene Waste Using Response Surface Optimization

Abstract

Polystyrene is extensively used in building and construction industry, packaging and transportation of fragile equipment due its low density, high melting point, low thermal conductivity, low water absorption, etc. Polystyrene after usage is usually discarded thereby causing environmental problems. The post-usage of polystyrene has, therefore, been a subject of intense research in recent times. The aim of this work is to produce adhesive from polystyrene wastes. Polystyrene waste (PS) was collected, processed and dissolved in tackifyer and formulated with diphnyle amine and diethylene glycol dibenzoate additives to produce adhesive using 3 levels variables factors and 4 levels testing factors of design expert optimization software. The produced adhesive was further characterized for viscosity, pH, percentages solid and moisture contents for their response surfaces. The results showed that the best fit viscosity for each run was Run 1B> Run 5A > Run 5D> Run 5B>Run 4D based on the regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The pH values obtained ranged from 4.0 to 6.3; percentage moisture content was in the order of Run 1B < 5A<4D<4B and percentage solid content was in the order of Run 1B<5A<4D. The best fitted adhesive was run 1B with 5.93 % moisture content; 5A has 7.57 % moisture content and 4D with 8.76% moisture content. The percentage solid content; Run 1B has 67.19 %, 5A has 68.16 % and 4D has 75.50 %. The produced adhesives were found within the standard range of adhesives used in production of particleboard.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy Characterization of Adhesive Produced From Polystyrene Waste

“…The following processes were used in the development of adhesive from polystyrene waste and its characterization according to [15].…”

“…The use of green and non-emitting materials in providing a sustainable environment is objectionable considering the globalization of climate change threats. The adhesive is substances that stick to one or more substrates that become bonded when surfaces are wetted and covalently joined together [15,27]. Adhesive sources are either natural or synthetic, the natural types of adhesive are from the animal bore, casein; plants, etc.…”

“…Adhesive sources are either natural or synthetic, the natural types of adhesive are from the animal bore, casein; plants, etc. and while synthetic are produced from industrial chemicals [15].…”

“…Authors [15] formulated and characterized adhesive from polystyrene waste using response surface optimization for their; viscosities, pH, solid and moisture content. However; elemental composition, functional groups and other physicochemical properties were not determined to establish the potentials and safe usage of the produced adhesive.…”

“…In this research, the best-formulated adhesive by [15] was optimized and further characterization for; Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), solubility in water, water absorption and density to fully understand the functional groups and mineralogical composition of the produced adhesive for sustainable green environment.…”