Scientific and engineering aspects of potential applications of post-consumer (waste) expanded polystyrene : A review

Uttaravalli, Appala Naidu; Dinda, Srikanta; Gidla, Bhanu Radhika

doi:10.1016/j.psep.2020.02.023

Cited by 56 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…[105] Fossil-based styrene monomer is generally polymerized via suspension polymerization to produce PS homopolymer, which is also known as general-purpose (GP)PS. [106,107] Expanded (E)PSs, popularly known as thermocol, are produced by diffusing air into the PS homopolymer beads. [106] They are mostly used to produce thermocol trays, cups, food containers, packaging materials, and insulators.…”

Section: Polystyrenementioning

confidence: 99%

Strategic Approach Towards Plastic Waste Valorization: Challenges and Promising Chemical Upcycling Possibilities

et al. 2021

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Plastic waste, which is one of the major sources of pollution in the landfills and oceans, has raised global concern, primarily due to the huge production rate, high durability, and the lack of utilization of the available waste management techniques. Recycling methods are preferable to reduce the impact of plastic pollution to some extent. However, most of the recycling techniques are associated with different drawbacks, high cost and downgrading of product quality being among the notable ones. The sustainable option here is to upcycle the plastic waste to create high-value materials to compensate for the cost of production. Several upcycling techniques are constantly being investigated and explored, which is currently the only economical option to resolve the plastic waste issue. This Review provides a comprehensive insight on the promising chemical routes available for upcycling of the most widely used plastic and mixed plastic wastes. The challenges inherent to these processes, the recent advances, and the significant role of the science and research community in resolving these issues are further emphasized.

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Section: Polystyrenementioning

confidence: 99%

Strategic Approach Towards Plastic Waste Valorization: Challenges and Promising Chemical Upcycling Possibilities

et al. 2021

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“…In addition to the thermal degradation, PS can also undergo photo-oxidation based on the radical process for oxidation induced by UV light from the aromatic rings ( Figure 10C; Xiao et al, 2020). The conversion of PS into styrene can be considered one of the most effective chemical recycling techniques (Uttaravalli et al, 2020).…”

Section: Polystyrene Chemical Degradation (Ps)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The advantages of catalytic degradation (catalytic cracking and hydrocracking) over the thermal process are the lowertemperature reaction conditions and higher selectivity of the desired reactions (Uttaravalli et al, 2020). When considering expended polystyrene (EPS), this method offers a higher conversion rate and styrene yield over thermal degradation.…”

Section: Polystyrene Chemical Degradation (Ps)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Environmental Plastic Pollution: Mitigation by Microorganism Degradation and Recycling Valorization

et al. 2020

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Plastics are very useful materials and present numerous advantages in the daily life of individuals and society. However, plastics are accumulating in the environment and due to their low biodegradability rate, this problem will persist for centuries. Until recently, oceans were treated as places to dispose of litter, thus the persistent substances are causing serious pollution issues. Plastic and microplastic waste has a negative environmental, social, and economic impact, e.g., causing injury/death to marine organisms and entering the food chain, which leads to health problems. The development of solutions and methods to mitigate marine (micro)plastic pollution is in high demand. There is a knowledge gap in this field, reason why research on this thematic is increasing. Recent studies reported the biodegradation of some types of polymers using different bacteria, biofilm forming bacteria, bacterial consortia, and fungi. Biodegradation is influenced by several factors, from the type of microorganism to the type of polymers, their physicochemical properties, and the environment conditions (e.g., temperature, pH, UV radiation). Currently, green environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic made from renewable feedstocks are starting to enter the market. This review covers the period from 1964 to April 2020 and comprehensively gathers investigation on marine plastic and microplastic pollution, negative consequences of plastic use, and bioplastic production. It lists the most useful methods for plastic degradation and recycling valorization, including degradation mediated by microorganisms (biodegradation) and the methods used to detect and analyze the biodegradation.

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“…Hence, they are often used as foam materials for insulation, protection, and packaging in many industrial and personal applications [23,24]. A large amount of expanded plastics has been discarded as waste after end-used or landfilled [25]. Chemical and thermal processes to recycle waste plastics are well-known but they are costly and difficult to use [26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Waste Expanded Polypropylene as Recycled Matrix on the Flexural, Impact, and Heat Deflection Temperature Properties of Kenaf Fiber/Polypropylene Composites

Kim

Cho

2020

Polymers

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Waste Expanded polypropylene (EPP) was utilized as recycled matrix for kenaf fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites produced using chopped kenaf fibers and crushed EPP waste. The flexural properties, impact strength, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of kenaf fiber/PP composites were highly enhanced by using waste EPP, compared to those by using virgin PP. The flexural modulus and strength of the composites with waste EPP were 98% and 55% higher than those with virgin PP at the same kenaf contents, respectively. The Izod impact strength and HDT were 31% and 12% higher with waste EPP than with virgin PP, respectively. The present study indicates that waste EPP would be feasible as recycled matrix for replacing conventional PP matrix in natural fiber composites.

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Scientific and engineering aspects of potential applications of post-consumer (waste) expanded polystyrene : A review

Cited by 56 publications

References 16 publications

Strategic Approach Towards Plastic Waste Valorization: Challenges and Promising Chemical Upcycling Possibilities

Strategic Approach Towards Plastic Waste Valorization: Challenges and Promising Chemical Upcycling Possibilities

Marine Environmental Plastic Pollution: Mitigation by Microorganism Degradation and Recycling Valorization

Effects of Waste Expanded Polypropylene as Recycled Matrix on the Flexural, Impact, and Heat Deflection Temperature Properties of Kenaf Fiber/Polypropylene Composites

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