Abstract
In this study, the optimized adhesive formulated from polystyrene waste was characterized for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) / Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, solubility, density and water absorption for identification of existing functional group(s), morphology, elemental compositions, etc. The results revealed that polystyrene, unsaturated hydrocarbon has been degraded to form a new product containing aromatic compounds. SEM morphology showed well mixed blended adhesive with silver-like appearance due to additives and EDX revealed 12 existing elemental compositions with their corresponding percentage atomic weights as follows; carbon 93.14 %, hafnium 1.44 %, vanadium 1.66 %, chromium 1.40 %, bromine 0.47 %, palladium 0.26 %, copper 0.43 %, nickel 0.31 %, cobalt 0.29 %, potassium 0.38 %, iron 0.15 % and manganese 0.08 %. The produced polystyrene adhesive was sparsely soluble in water after 30 minutes; it has a density of 1041 kg/m3 and does not absorb moisture. Because of these results, the adhesive from polystyrene waste could serve as green adhesive, since there are no threats of toxic substance emission from the spectral analysis since most of the elements are used as a supplement in pharmaceuticals and catalyst in process industries.
Highlights
The general view of the conversion of waste to wealth is propelling researchers into the utilization of abundant waste materials regarded as not valuable
Adhesive sources are either natural or synthetic, the natural types of adhesive are from the animal bore, casein; plants, etc. and while synthetic are produced from industrial chemicals [15]
Polystyrene waste was collected from commercial outlets in Bauchi metropolis, the tackifyer was obtained from Total Filling station, Yelwa
Summary
The general view of the conversion of waste to wealth is propelling researchers into the utilization of abundant waste materials regarded as not valuable. Adhesive sources are either natural or synthetic, the natural types of adhesive are from the animal bore, casein; plants, etc. While synthetic are produced from industrial chemicals [15]. Most adhesives used in composites materials production are synthetic and have medical concern due to emissions from its users which makes it not environmentally friendly, and are reported carcinogenic due to the presence of formaldehyde derivatives [3, 14, 29, 10]. In a bid to develop environmentally friendly adhesive devoid of any side effects, additives such as plasticizers from diblend or triblend of diethylene glycol dibenzoate and dipropylene glycol dibenzoate are usually added for stabilization of its properties for ease application [6, 5]
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