Breaking down polystyrene through the application of a two-step thermal degradation and bacterial method to produce usable byproducts

Abstract

In this work, the objective is to examine a novel approach on the biodegradability of polystyrene is examined. A two-step method for the degradation of polystyrene to chemically useful products has been devised. Initially, polystyrene is liquefied via a thermal degradation procedure predominantly into styrene monomers at low temperatures and left to cool down. Application of microorganisms in a second step targets the breaking of the polymer into smaller organic molecules. Microorganisms tested were Rhodococcus zopfii stoecker, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas putida and Salmonella with the last two being the most effective. A third step is required to treat the organic products accordingly. The suggested method exhibits total conversion of polystyrene. While the method has only been examined on a small scale, its potential advantages for the recycling of polystyrene waste, are minimized energy costs due to low temperatures of thermal treatment used and the extremely fast degradation kinetics observed.