Photodegradation of polystyrene/rubber waste blends compatibilized with SBS copolymer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the photooxidative stability of polystyrene/vulcanized rubber waste blends, compatibilized with styrene–butadiene–styrene. High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) was used for comparison. All samples were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 8 weeks and then analyzed for mechanical properties (tensile and impact), infrared spectroscopy, colorimetry, and optical microscopy. It was observed that the mechanical behavior of the photodegraded samples was a consequence of the superficial chemical modification, which was accompanied by defect formation. The most sensitive properties to aging were the impact strength and elongation at break, with HIPS being the least photostable material. The penetration depth of the UV radiation was lower for the core of the blends than for the HIPS. This finding indicated that the protective additives and mineral fillers (titanium dioxide and talc, respectively), which are present in the rubber residue, minimized the transmittance of radiation into the blends. Consequently, losses in the mechanical properties were minimized.

Recycling high impact polystyrene: Material properties and reprocessing in a circular economy business model

“…Measurable yellowing was found 46 after irradiation of specimens in a Sepap 12/24 unit after 50 h followed by a slower darkening. With irradiation at 0.89 W/m 2 , peak λ = 131 nm, a significant drop in luminosity was measured 39 after 15 days, levelling off after 30 days. Yellowing due to natural weathering and accelerated aging were compared in reference.…”

“…Degradation by UV occurs at wavelengths ≥300 nm starting with the formation of radicals at the allylic position in PB. 39 In the presence of oxygen, unstable alkyl and peroxyl radicals and photo-unstable intermediary products are formed. These produce further radicals on UV irradiation, resulting in cross-linking and chain scissions in the PB 40 together with the formation of many lower molecular weight oxidation products.…”

Synthesis of Zn(II) and Co(II) Complexes with a Schiff Base Derived from Malonic Acid Dihydrazide for Photo-Stabilizers of Polystyrene

“…Accordingly, these beams were used to compare the absorption values of the standard absorption beam 1340 cm −1 , which is regarded as standard because it is unaffected by UV light, with the values of the standard absorption beam in order to determine the extent of polymer degradation during irradiation [29][30]. As a result, the absorbance (index) values of the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups were examined to assess the photodegradation, as illustrated in Fig.…”

Structural characterization of PVDF/PVA polymer blend film doped with different concentration of NiO NPs for photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye under visible light

“…The creation of a polymeric blend is generally intended to increase the intensity of the fragile polymers' influence, helping to mitigate the deleterious effects of the property of photooxidative degradation. 5 Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has acquired various interests due to its outstanding thermal stability, mechanical efficiency, and chemical resistance. 6 As can be seen in the previous studies, composites based on PVDF have been reported with various filler materials for different applications such as filling the polymer with semiconductor.…”