Mathematical modeling of the catalytic degradation of polystyrene in the presence of aluminum chloride

Pantano, Ioana Agustina Gianoglio; Díaz, Mónica F.; Brandolin, Adriana; Sarmoria, Claudia

doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2009.01.015

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…As discussed in a previous work,11 PS contains weak links that undergo scission more easily, and normal links that resist scission better. We showed in that work that the relative number of each kind of link can be calculated as: …”

Section: Mathematical Modelmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…These parameters are shown in Table 3. We used the value of the initial concentration of weak bonds, e w (0), that was previously determined11 to be 0.01 mol L −1 . The reported parameters allow the model to calculate average molecular weights, producing predictions that agree with experimental data within a 20% error.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a preliminary model published previously, we considered PS degradation in the presence of AlCl 3 only 11. That model was able to predict the evolution of PS average molecular weights during the reaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Catalytic Degradation of Polystyrene: Modeling of Molecular Weight Distribution

Pantano

Asteasuain

Díaz

et al. 2011

Macro Reaction Engineering

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Two of the most abundant polymers in household waste streams, PS and PE, may be recycled by compatibilization through a Friedel‐Crafts alkylation. This reaction produces a graft copolymer PE‐g‐PS that improves the properties of the blend, but simultaneously degrades PS chains. Since the copolymer efficiency as a compatibilizer depends both on the molecular weight and MWD of its two blocks, the operating conditions for the copolymer synthesis must be carefully tuned. To aid in this task, we present a preliminary mathematical model that focuses on the effect of the catalyst and cocatalyst of the Friedel‐Crafts alkylation on the MWD of the PS chains. The model's predictions are shown to agree with experimental data.

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Section: Mathematical Modelmentioning

confidence: 68%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Catalytic Degradation of Polystyrene: Modeling of Molecular Weight Distribution

Pantano

Asteasuain

Díaz

et al. 2011

Macro Reaction Engineering

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“…Its hardness, hydrophobic nature and chemical composition cause it to persist in nature without any decomposition for long period of time thus cause environmental pollution Singh and Sharma (2008). As waste plastic material has become a serious problem, recycling is receiving attention as a means of preserving the environment and reserving resources Pantano et al (2009). Polystyrene waste requires the transportation of big large volume of materials, which is costly and makes recycling economically unfeasible.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photodegradation and photostabilization of polymers, especially polystyrene: review

2013

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Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation may cause the significant degradation of many materials. UV radiation causes photooxidative degradation which results in breaking of the polymer chains, produces free radical and reduces the molecular weight, causing deterioration of mechanical properties and leading to useless materials, after an unpredictable time. Polystyrene (PS), one of the most important material in the modern plastic industry, has been used all over the world, due to its excellent physical properties and low-cost. When polystyrene is subjected to UV irradiation in the presence of air, it undergoes a rapid yellowing and a gradual embrittlement. The mechanism of PS photolysis in the solid state (film) depends on the mobility of free radicals in the polymer matrix and their bimolecular recombination. Free hydrogen radicals diffuse very easily through the polymer matrix and combine in pairs or abstract hydrogen atoms from polymer molecule. Phenyl radical has limited mobility. They may abstract hydrogen from the near surrounding or combine with a polymer radical or with hydrogen radicals. Almost all synthetic polymers require stabilization against adverse environmental effects. It is necessary to find a means to reduce or prevent damage induced by environmental components such as heat, light or oxygen. The photostabilization of polymers may be achieved in many ways. The following stabilizing systems have been developed, which depend on the action of stabilizer: (1) light screeners, (2) UV absorbers, (3) excited-state quenchers, (4) peroxide decomposers, and (5) free radical scavengers; of these, it is generally believed that excited-state quenchers, peroxide decomposers, and free radical scavengers are the most effective. Research into degradation and ageing of polymers is extremely intensive and new materials are being synthesized with a pre-programmed lifetime. New stabilizers are becoming commercially available although their modes of action are sometimes not thoroughly elucidated. They target the many possible ways of polymer degradation: thermolysis, thermooxidation, photolysis, photooxidation, radiolysis etc. With the goal to increase lifetime of a particular polymeric material, two aspects of degradation are of particular importance: Storage conditions, and Addition of appropriate stabilizers. A profound knowledge of degradation mechanisms is needed to achieve the goal.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2193-1801-2-398) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…In previous works we modeled the copolymerization reaction taking into account the degradation of PS in the presence of AlCl 3 15, 16. In these works the method of moments was applied in order to predict the mass of grafted PS and the average molecular weights.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graft Copolymers for Blend Compatibilization: Mathematical Modeling of the Grafting Process

Pantano

Asteasuain

Sarmoria

et al. 2012

Macro Reaction Engineering

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The grafting of PE onto PS through a Friedel‐Crafts reaction, which results in a mixture of PE‐g‐PS copolymer, unmodified PE, and modified PS, is investigated. The copolymer may be suitable for compatibilization of immiscible mixtures in the household plastic waste stream, where PE and PS are majority components. Since the compatibilization effect depends on the composition and block lengths in the copolymer, a model is presented for predicting the complete molecular weight distribution of the homopolymers and the chemical composition distribution of the graft copolymer. The model has potential for application in an optimization tool for the compatibilization process, as it is able to account for the opposing effects of competing reactions that characterize the graft reaction.

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Mathematical modeling of the catalytic degradation of polystyrene in the presence of aluminum chloride

Cited by 9 publications

References 27 publications

Catalytic Degradation of Polystyrene: Modeling of Molecular Weight Distribution

Catalytic Degradation of Polystyrene: Modeling of Molecular Weight Distribution

Photodegradation and photostabilization of polymers, especially polystyrene: review

Graft Copolymers for Blend Compatibilization: Mathematical Modeling of the Grafting Process

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