Studies on photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene

Abstract

This paper reports the photo degradation of polystyrene (PS) by using zinc oxide (ZnO) as photo catalyst. Virgin PS is not responsive to degradation by ultra violet (UV) light because of the presence of phenyl rings in its repeating units. ZnO acts as an UV absorber and helps in transferring the absorbed energy to various bonds of PS and causes degradation. The concentration of ZnO followed by the dispersion within the PS matrix has been found to be the key as the maximum weight loss of y16% in 2 h has been obtained with 0 . 5 wt-% of ZnO. Below and above this concentration, the degradation is clearly low. Addition of a UV sensitive dye has further improved this degradation (up to 18%) owing to synergism with ZnO. The degradation of PS has been further highlighted from infrared spectroscopy, surface analysis, viscosity average molecular weight studies and mechanical properties analysis. A suitable mechanism supporting the UV degradation has also been proposed.

Nano-sized polystyrene affects feeding, behavior and physiology of brine shrimp Artemia franciscana larvae

“…Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most largely used plastics worldwide, with an annual production of over 23 million tons per year (considering PS, high-impact PS and expanded PS) (Lithner et al, 2011). This polymer persists for several hundred years in the environment and undergoes to extremely slow depolymerization in marine waters (Andrady, 2003;Innocenti, 2003), thus leading to the formation of micro and nano-debris (Bandyopadhyay and Basak, 2007;Hofer, 2008). Therefore, PS might pose a serious hazard to marine organisms due to the properties of the styrene monomer known as carcinogenic and endocrine disruptor (Lithner et al, 2011).…”

Polymer–cement composite based on recycled expanded polystyrene foam waste

“…Discarded EPS foam is non‐biodegradable and resistance to photolysis [1]. EPS foam wastes not only float on water, but also blow in the wind.…”

FeCl2‐Promoted Cleavage of the Unactivated CC Bond of Alkylarenes and Polystyrene: Direct Synthesis of Arylamines

“…(1)]. Significantly, polystyrene, which is an important commodity thermoplastic in our daily life does not biodegrade for hundreds of years and is resistant to photolysis, thus generating huge amounts of environmental pollution, [12] could be degraded by this strategy. A variety of diarylmethanes and alkylarenes are compatible with this protocol.…”

“…[12] However, like other polymers, polystyrene degrades very slowly (more than 500 years for a single cup), and therefore generates large amounts of waste which accumulates in the environment. [12] However, like other polymers, polystyrene degrades very slowly (more than 500 years for a single cup), and therefore generates large amounts of waste which accumulates in the environment.…”