Polystyrene
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Poly(1-phenylethene)
| |
| Other names
PS
Thermocol | |
| Properties | |
| (C8H8)n [CH2CH(C6H5)]n | |
| Molar mass | 104.15·n g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.96–1.05 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 240 °C (464 °F; 513 K) (Isotactic polystyrene) |
| Boiling point | 430 °C (806 °F; 703 K) (decomposes) |
| Insoluble | |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, benzene, carbon disulfide, chloroform, cyclohexanone, dioxane, ethyl acetate, ethylbenzene, MEK, NMP, THF |
| Vapor pressure | ~0 mmHg |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Styrene |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Polystyrene ( sometimes abbreviated PS) is a synthetic polymer made from monomers of the aromatic hydrocarbon styrene. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year. It is used in the manufacturing of styrofoam.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Polystyrene is relatively chemically inert. While it is waterproof and resistant to breakdown by dil. acids and bases, it readily dissolves quickly in many non-polar solvents, like ketones (acetone, MEK), chlorinated solvents, and hydrocarbon (aromatic and aliphatic) solvents. Likewise, conc. sulfuric acid will break down polystyrene at standard conditions, also yielding some tar.
Like other organic compounds, polystyrene burns in air to give carbon dioxide and water vapor, in addition to other thermal degradation by-products. Being an aromatic hydrocarbon, it typically combusts incompletely, as indicated by the sooty flame.
Thermal decomposition of polystyrene yields styrene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and α-methyl styrene, in various yields, depending on the reaction conditions.[1][2][3][4]
Physical
Polystyrene is clear solid, hard, and brittle. Normally the material is transparent, but can be colored with various colorants.
Availability
Polystyrene is available in multiple forms, ranging from disposable plastic cutlery, to styrofoam.
Preparation
Can be prepared via polymerization of styrene.
Projects
Handling
Safety
Polytyrene has low toxicity, and it's not edible.
Storage
Should be kept in a clean dry place, away from the solvent bottles and cabinet.
Disposal
Polystyrene should be dumped in trash, in the plastic waste bins.
Under ASTM standards, polystyrene is regarded as not biodegradable. It is accumulating as a form of litter in the outside environment, particularly along shores and waterways, especially in its foam form, and in the Pacific Ocean.
The bacterium Pseudomonas putida is capable of converting styrene oil into the biodegradable plastic PHA.[5]
References
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290076081_Catalytic_cracking_and_thermal_cracking_of_waste_polystyrene
- ↑ https://www.cae.tntech.edu/~jbiernacki/CHE%204410%202019/Kinetics%20and%20Mechanism-Zeng.pdf
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/245060096_Thermal_degradation_of_polystyrene_wastes_in_various_solvents
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.27960
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bacteria-turn-styrofoam-i/
