Styrene Monomer Research Articles

Extending the Color Retention of an Electrochromic Device by Immobilizing Color Switching and Ion-Storage Complementary Layers

The thermal polymerization of a bis(triphenylamine)-bis(styrene) monomer on ITO coated glass gave an electroactive film that underwent two stepwise oxidations. The perceived color change of the film upon stepwise oxidation was colorless-to-yellow followed by yellow-to-blue. The anodic cyclic voltammogram of the monomer was consistent over multiple cycles. The immobilized film could be reversibly switched between its colorless and blue states with applied potential in both a half- and full-electrochromic functioning device. The devices could also reversibly switch their colors upwards of 6 h. The retention of the electrochemically induced blue color was contingent on the device architecture. Upwards of 80% of the color was maintained 30 min after the potential was turned off with the double-layer electrochromic device structure. This device was prepared from two electroactive layers: a bis(triphenylamine) and viologen-based polymers that were immobilized on the electrodes. In contrast, 50% of the color of the active electrochromic device that was prepared from a single electroactive layer bleached 7 min once the potential was no longer applied.

Preparation of switchable polymer latexes under elevated CO2 pressure by using 4,4'-(diazene-1,2-diyl) bis(N-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-4-methylpentanamide) as a novel CO2-switchable inistab

Switchable polystyrene (PS) latexes were prepared by using newly synthesized CO2-responsive inistab (initiator + colloidal stabilizer), 4,4'-(diazene-1,2-diyl) bis(N-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)-4-methylpentanamide) (DABPA) through surfactant-free emulsion polymerization (SFEP) under elevated CO2 pressure. The synthesized latexes can be easily aggregated by adding NaOH or N2 and heat, and readily redispersed by introducing CO2 with 10 min of sonication. The redispersed latexes had almost similar zeta potential, particle size and polydispersity (PDI) as the original latexes. The influence of elevated CO2 pressure along with adding CO2-switchable comonomer, 2-(diethyl)amino ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) on the stability and solid content of PS latexes were studied. The results showed that by increasing CO2 pressure up to 60 bar, solid content of latex could be enhanced to 30% by employing 0.25 mol% (with respect to the styrene monomer) of inistab, DABPA and 0.54 mol% of DEAEMA. The obtained polymer particles, ranging in diameter from 230 to 525 nm, are spherical as established by SEM and DLS. This method of using inistab at elevated CO2 pressure yields relatively high solid content and less amount of required stabilizer during the emulsion polymerization.

An incident of massive styrene monomer gas poisoning

Following a temporary and partial shutdown of the LG polymers factory for nearly 44 days due to the COVID-19 lockdown, routine maintenance of the plant was affected. At around 3 a.m. on 7May 2020, a failure of the refrigeration system and the inhibitor tank attached to the styrene storage tank, resulted in an auto polymerization reaction that caused nearly half of the 1800 tonnes styrene gas stored to leak into the atmosphere. Since the volatile organic compound detection system was defunct, no alert or alarm was raised and, driven by north easterly winds, a cloud of toxic styrene gas spread over a radius of nearly 3 km, affecting five villages in the vicinity. The pungent smell was initially mistaken by the residents as emanating from a fire accident or a COVID-19 sanitization measure in the vicinity. Following initial triage, over 350 victims were hospitalized in various hospitals. 254 symptomatic adults and 64 children were shifted to the Government King George hospital. The main symptoms were burning sensation of eyes, skin and throat, nausea, vomiting, diplopia, muscle twitching, breathlessness and loss of consciousness. Nearly 10,000 residents from five villages were evacuated to relief camps set up in the perimeter and given first aid and food. There were 11 human and 22 animal fatalities in the immediate vicinity. This incident reports the world’s first fatalities due to massive styrene poisoning

Monodisperse polystyrene microspheres containing quaternary ammonium salt groups by two-stage dispersion polymerization: effect of reaction parameters on particle size and size distribution

A facile approach to prepare monodisperse polystyrene (PS) particles containing quaternary ammonium salts with long alkyl chain was reported. The PS particles containing quaternary ammonium salts are prepared by two-stage dispersion polymerization in ethanol/water (80/20 w/w) mixture with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a steric stabilizer and fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO-9) as a co-stabilizer. Polymerizations are conducted using N′-dimethyl-N-n-dodecyl-N-2-methacryloyloxyethylammonium bromide (QDMDB) as a comonomer added in the second stage. We identify reaction conditions where one can obtain the functional polystyrene microspheres with a size distribution less than 3%. The influence of the initiator concentration, the styrene monomer concentration, the stabilizer concentration, and QDMDB comonomer concentration on the average particle size and the efficient of variation are investigated comprehensively. The novel particles are examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), zeta potential, and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). QDMDB comonomer not only functionalized the polystyrene particles but also proved to be effective in controlling the particle size and size distribution. According to these results, we show that two-stage dispersion polymerization is an effective pathway for the structure design of the functional microspheres.

Insights into pyrolysis of torrefied-biomass, plastics/tire and blends: Thermochemical behaviors, kinetics and evolved gas analyses

The pyrolysis behaviors, the kinetics of the synergistic effects, the functional groups during the co-pyrolysis of torrefied-biomass (TBG) with a tire, and different plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) were analyzed by TG-FTIR. The TG-DTG curves revealed thermal stability due to torrefaction treatment and blending. The most potential reaction mechanisms associated with the first stage for both pure and blend samples were first-order reaction and one-dimensional diffusion mechanisms, while the second stage was mostly governed by second and third-order reaction mechanisms. The interactions between TBG-plastics/tire were obvious at temperatures of 290–540 °C, according to the variation of weight loss (ΔW) values. The highest degree of synergy was observed with the TBG/PS blend, while the TBG/tire mixture being the least synergistic. The FTIR spectra indicated that hydrocarbons compounds, CO2, CO, H2O, CH4, NH3, acid, aldehydes and C=O, C-O, O-H, C-H, C-C, N-H, HCN were the main gaseous products and functional groups detected by the FTIR. The HDPE, EVA, and PP generated mainly alkanes and alkenes. While the PS depolymerized into styrene monomers. The tire mainly disintegrated into olefins and alkanes. The effect of co-pyrolysis of TBG, tire, and different plastics on species produced is noticeable on pyrolysis characteristics, kinetics, gaseous products, and functional groups. Thus, H2O, acid, ketone, and aldehydes were suppressed. Generally, the co-pyrolysis of plastic/tire with TBG can reduce the oxygen-containing compounds in the gaseous species and can improve the release of hydrocarbons.

Co-pyrolysis behaviors of low-rank coal and polystyrene with in-situ pyrolysis time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In-situ detection of the primary volatiles is vital for co-pyrolysis interactions of coal and waste plastics, and can reveal their interactions based on the primary volatiles distribution and kinetics. In this study, a novel in-situ pyrolysis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Py-TOF-MS) was applied to analyze primary volatiles distribution and evolved behaviors of co-pyrolysis of a low-rank Pingshuo coal (PC) and polystyrene (PS), and disclose the interaction mechanisms of PC/PS co-pyrolysis combined with different kinetic models. TG results indicated that the blending ratio of PC to PS being 7:3 has the best interaction in improving volatiles evolved performance. According to in-situ Py-TOF-MS analysis, the addition of PS can promote early release of volatiles from the peak of 418 °C (PC) to 389 °C, and dramatically enhance H-transfer. Among them, the increase of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ascribed to the Diels-Alder and dehydration reaction, while the styrene monomer obviously increases from 2.15% to 7.34% due to the co-pyrolysis enhances the cleavage of Car-Cβ bond on the PS main chain. Moreover, kinetics study identified that the variation of activation energy can provide effective supplements to the co-pyrolysis interactions.

Thermal hazards analysis of styrene in contact with impurities

Styrene is a reactive monomer commonly used to produce polystyrene and other copolymers. Unintended thermal runaway polymerization reactions of styrene keep reoccurring and have led to catastrophic consequences. One of the possible causes of these runaway incidents involves the contamination of the styrene monomer by incompatible species, which was not adequately investigated and documented. This study focuses on the quantification of thermal runaway hazards of styrene in contact with a series of contamination substances by adopting calorimetric analysis. Both Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Advanced Reactive System Screening Tool (ARSST) were employed to examine the exothermic characteristics of styrene mixed with contaminating substances at different concentration levels and mixing conditions. Key safety parameters of the exothermic reaction, such as the onset temperature, the overall heat release, the maximum self-heating rate, as well as the activation energy, were obtained. The results indicated that the thermal runaway polymerization of purified styrene was significantly altered by the presence of contaminant species. Water effectively retarded and quenched the runaway polymerization at a higher temperature range. Alkaline had no substantial effect on the thermal runaway characteristics. The presence of acid solution under both static contact and vigorous mixing condition significantly promoted the thermal polymerization of styrene. A trace amount of concentrated acid initiated violent exothermic activity even at room temperature; and the severity of the reaction was profoundly impacted by the mass-transfer. Our study demonstrates significant implications in the prevention of runaway incidents during transportation and storage of styrene.

Reactor and Product Optimization via Raman Fiber Optics Monitoring: Application to Polymer‐Based Proppants

AbstractA setup to characterize polymerization kinetics of polymer‐based proppants produced in an industrial batch reactor by suspension polymerization is presented. A microscale reactor is designed to mimic temperature and pressure conditions of the industrial counterpart. Raman spectroscopy is used to follow the consumption of vinyl bonds of the styrene monomer and the crosslinker via disappearance of the peak at 1632 cm‐1. Raman data from the microscale reactor are remotely obtained via a fiber optics system. Reaction progress by any generic formulation can be safely followed up to conversions of 90%, well beyond the gel point. Reaction rates are used to define feasible temperature–time profiles for the industrial reactor. In parallel, bulk and suspension polymerizations are carried out under those temperature–time profiles in a 3 L laboratory reactor to produce proppants formulations with the geometry required to perform product characterization, mainly focused on the thermal and mechanical response of the polymer particles. Overall, the whole setup allows optimization of proppant formulations and the cost of their processes of production.

Emission fluxes of styrene monomers and other chemicals for products containing expanded polystyrene beads.

Styrene in indoor air can adversely affect human health. In this study, styrene monomer and other chemical emission fluxes for products containing expanded polystyrene beads (pillows, cushions, and soft toys) were measured at various temperatures to simulate typical product use. The contributions of the products to styrene and other chemical concentrations in indoor air and human exposure to these chemicals were estimated, and health risk assessments were performed. The styrene monomer emission fluxes for the samples at 25°C were between 25.3 and 8.73×103 μg/(m2 h). The styrene emission fluxes for the product surfaces increased strongly as the temperature increased, from between 124 and 2.44×104 μg/(m2 h) at 36°C (simulating human body temperature) to between 474 and 4.59×104 μg/(m2 h) at 50°C (simulating inside an automobile in summer). The hexane, heptane, toluene, octane, ethylbenzene, m- and p-xylene, o-xylene, and dodecane emission fluxes at 25°C for the sample that emitted the analytes most readily were high. The maximum estimated styrene and xylene concentrations in indoor air caused by emissions from expanded polystyrene beads at 36°C in a bedroom and automobile were higher than the relevant guidelines. The maximum contribution of a product containing expanded polystyrene beads in a living room, bedroom, or automobile could cause the total volatile organic compound concentration in air to exceed the advisable value (400 μg/m3). The estimated maximum hazard quotients for styrene, toluene, and xylene emitted by a product containing expanded polystyrene beads at 36°C in a bedroom were 0.59, 0.30, and 0.37, respectively. These non-carcinogenic risk values for single products could contribute to the non-carcinogenic risk thresholds being exceeded when multiple products and other sources of chemicals are taken into consideration. The estimated styrene concentrations suggest that products containing expanded polystyrene beads are important sources of styrene to indoor air.

Synthesis and Application of Copolymers Based on Styrene, Divinylbenzene and Functionalizing Monomers

The “cross-linked” copolymers based on styrene, divinylbenzene, and functionalizing monomers namely ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and liquid hydroxyl terminated polymer of butadien Polybd® R-20 LM Resin by miniemulsion polymerization in the presence of a co-stabilizer – hexadecane were prepared. The largest copolymer yield for both functionalizing monomers by amount of hexadecane 5 % wt. was achieved. The industrial latex SKS-30 ARKM-15 by the obtained copolymers in the process of salt coagulation was modified. The mechanical characteristics of vulcanizates made on the basis of rubber SKS-30 ARKM-15, modified by obtained copolymers were studied.

Three‐dimensionally cross‐linked styrene‐methyl methacrylate‐divinyl benzene terpolymer networks for organic solvents and crude oil absorption

AbstractThe present study reports, high‐performance polymer absorbents for crude oil and organic solvents based on 3D cross‐linked polystyrene‐polymethyl methacrylate/divinyl benzene (PS‐PMMA/DVB). The preparation of the 3D cross‐linked polymer absorbents has been carried out by bulk polymerization method using styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers in the presence of DVB with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The prepared cross‐linked polymer absorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analyses. The absorption kinetics, thermodynamics of the absorption process as well as the recyclability of the cross‐linked polymer absorbents were investigated in detail. The developed 3D cross‐linked PS‐PMMA/DVB absorbents have demonstrated excellent absorption capacities for both organic solvents and crude oil. For instance, the developed polymer absorbent (PS‐PMMA/DVB [1 wt%]) shows a maximum absorption capacity of 12 g/g for chloroform, 6 g/g for tetrahydrofuran, and 3 g/g for crude oil. The absorption capacities by the polymer absorbents show a direct relationship with the polarity of the solvents. Moreover, the change of absorption capacity after several repeated cycles of absorption/desorption was only marginal. The demonstrated absorption capacities and the excellent recyclability make polymer absorbents as potential candidates for the oilfield applications and produced water treatments.

Synthesis and characterization of highly hydrophilic self-associating terpolymers: Rheological, thermal, and corrosion protection studies

In this study, water-soluble terpolymers containing highly hydrophilic monomers of acrylamide and maleic anhydride and highly hydrophobic monomers of styrene were synthesized (ASM) through the one-step inverse emulsion polymerization. Protonnuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) were performed to investigate the chemical structures and structural transformations of ASM. Thermal stability and thermal decomposition steps of ASM were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). An Ubbelhode capillary viscometer and a rheological mechanical spectrometer (RMS) were employed to obtain the specific, relative, and intrinsic viscosities and rheological properties of ASM solutions at different temperatures and in the presence of different concentrations of salts. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) test and the capillary viscometry method were utilized to obtain the molecular weight of ASM chains. The obtained results showed that the shear viscosity of ASM solutions increased by the increment of the temperature and salts’ concentration. Long-term thermal stability of the ASM solutions was assessed by an aging test in which long-lasting exposure endurance attained and the shear viscosity increased after the thermal aging due to the branching of ASM chains through ring-opening anhydride reactions. Corrosion protection properties of mild steel samples immersed in terpolymer solutions before and after aging at 150 °C were studied via the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization tests. Corrosion protection properties of solutions were enhanced after the thermal aging. The inhibition efficiency of ASM and thermally aged ASM (A/ASM) were obtained ~52% and ~94%, respectively.

Evaluation of moisture diffusion as a threat to polymer/inorganic nanoparticles composites properties: Polystyrene/calcium sulfate nanocomposite as a case study

The present study aims to investigate the water diffusivity into polystyrene/ calcium sulfate (PS/CaSO4) nanocomposite samples as a threat to the intended reinforcing properties. For this purpose, CaSO4 nanoparticles were synthesized through a chemical reaction using polyethylene glycol as the stabilizing agent. The polystyrene/calcium sulfate nanocomposites were fabricated through in situ polymerization of styrene monomer and stearic acid coated CaSO4 nanoparticles. SEM analysis was applied to determine the size and shape of the produced nanoparticles. In addition, TEM analysis was applied to study the general morphology and structure of the nanocomposites in order to confirm the PS/CaSO4 nanocomposites formation. FTIR analysis was employed to study the surface functions and bonds formation in both the surface treatment and nanocomposite preparation steps. Water diffusivity into the nanocomposites was evaluated through samples water exposure followed by calculation of the effective diffusion coefficients (Deff) using the diffusion equation given by Fick’s 2nd law. The calculation results have revealed that the obtained Deff values for water diffusivity in PS/CaSO4 (1.5 wt.%) and pure PS samples were 8.73 × 10−20 and 11.1 × 10−20 m2/s, respectively.

Physical and mechanical properties of five Indonesian wood treated with polystyrene

Five Indonesian wood include sengon (Falcataria moluccana), manii (Maesopsis eminii), pinus (Pinus merkusii), duabanga (Duabanga mollucana) and maniani (Flindersia pimenteliana) were treated with polystyrene. The purpose of this study was to determine the physical and mechanical properties of treated wood. Air-dried samples were placed under vacuum at 600 mmHg for 30 minutes, which was followed by immersion in monomer styrene and pressure at 10 kg/cm2 used varied for 30, 60, and 90 minutes respectively. The wood samples were then wrapped in aluminium foil and placed in an oven at 103±2 °C for 24 hours. Furthermore, the aluminium foil was removed and the samples were weighed for polymer loading calculation. The test of impregnated wood conducted by refers to the British Standard BS 373:1957, comprised of moisture content, density, water absorption, shrinkage swelling, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and hardness. Results showed that wood treatment with polystyrene could improve the physical and mechanical properties of wood.

Synthesis and characterization of stretchable IPN polymers from biodegradable resins incorporated with styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers for enhanced mechanical strength

Herein we report a convenient synthesis of pristine polymers from pungam oil, sunflower oil and cotton seed oil and its biodegradable interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) incorporated with styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers. The pristine resins were synthesized from their respective hydroxylated oils by reacting with H2O2 and followed by esterification with maleic anhydride. The IPN polymers were prepared by blending of two pristine resins with the monomers in a template glass mould at ambient temperature which show the homogenous and transparent in nature. The polymeric materials were characterized by XRD, IR, UV and SEM analysis. The thermal analysis of pristine and IPN polymers display the enhanced thermal stability due to the penetration of resin with the styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers with higher Tm of 345 °C. The synthesized IPN polymers also show the enhanced mechanical strength and enhanced interfacial elasticity. These types of biodegradable IPN polymers can be used as ecofriendly and sustainable environmental applications.

Mechanically reinforced polystyrene-polymethyl methacrylate copolymer-graphene and Epoxy-Graphene composites dual-coated sand proppants for hydraulic fracture operations

Herein, we report mechanically reinforced dual-coated sand proppants for hydraulic fracturing operations. The dual-coated sand proppants were prepared by sequential surface modifications. The sand particles were firstly coated with polystyrene-polymethyl methacrylate copolymer (PS-PMMA) composite with commercial graphene (CG) (first composite layer) and subsequently coated with epoxy-CG composite (second composite layer). The copolymer-CG coating onto sand particles was carried out by mixing 1:1 styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers with the initiator AIBN along with CG followed by adding the mixture to sand particles with vigorous stirring and subsequent polymerization at 70 °C. The PS-PMMA-CG coated sand particles were then mixed with epoxy resin and a cure in a ratio of 4:1 along with CG and cured at 150 °C for 5 min. Chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological characterizations for the composite layers and dual-coated sand proppants were investigated in detail by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nano-indentation, thermogravimetric (TGA), optical, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques. The FT-IR results revealed that the successful formation of PS-PMMA-CG copolymer composite and cross-linked epoxy-CG composites. The XRD results indicated that the successful surface coverage of the dual composites coating onto the sand. The optical and SEM results revealed that the roundness and sphericity of the reinforced proppant particles were greater than 0.6. Interestingly, elasticity (E), and hardness (H) of the coating shells have reached a maximum of 3.97 GPa and 0.144 GPa, respectively. The thermal stability of the (PS-PMMA-CG)-(epoxy-CG) dual composite shell has reached as high as 363 °C. Furthermore, the stress resistance of the optimized dual-coated sand proppant (Sand-(PS-PMMA-CG)-(epoxy-CG)) reached as high as 10000 psi with a fine production of <10 wt%. The mechanically reinforced dual-coated sand including the most desirable characteristics of roundness and sphericity to be greater than 0.6, high-stress resistance with excellent thermal and mechanical stabilities confirmed its great potential to be applied as successful proppants in oil and gas upstream applications.

Transparent wood with thermo-reversible optical properties based on phase-change material

Many phase change materials experience a change in optical properties when undergoing a phase transition, showing great potential in preparation of smart optical materials. In this work, copolymer consisted of monomer styrene (St), butyl acrylate (BA), and 1-octadecene (ODE) was infiltrated into treated wood to obtain a flexible transparent wood (TW) with thermo-reversible optical properties (abbreviated as SBO/TW). The introduction of ODE chains induced obvious revisable endothermic decrystallization and exothermic crystallization behaviors, which indicated that SBO/TW had revisable optical characteristic. The novel phase-change SBO5/TW could repeatedly turn from opaque (~23.7% of transmittance, ~98.3% of haze) to transparent (~74.9% of transmittance, ~36% of haze) with an increase in temperature, and vice versa during the cooling process. In addition, the thermal conductivity of SBO/TW was lower than 0.2 W m−1 k−1, which is the limit value of thermal insulation material. Moreover, SBO/TW showed excellent flexibility with a high breaking elongation (~80%) and low storage modulus (good softness). This study presents a synthetic strategy to control optical properties of TW, promoting the potential application of TW as smart light controlling systems.

Nitroxide-mediated polymerization of styrene and limonene in the framework of synthesis of potentially functional polymers using naturally occurring terpenes

In the framework of synthesis of potentially functional macromolecules based on commodity polymers with naturally occurring compounds, the nitroxide-mediated polymerization of styrene with limonene was investigated here. Various ratios of styrene and limonene were used, and the incorporation of limonene in the final polymer was monitored. Results from benzoyl peroxide/TEMPO-initiated polymerization showed small incorporation of limonene in the polystyrene chains, while it was also involved in forming oligomers (such as dimers or trimers). The presence of limonene resulted in a reduction in polymer average molecular weight through chain transfer reactions. From the kinetic analysis, limonene was found to inhibit styrene thermal auto-polymerization at high temperatures, acting as a radical scavenger. Using TEMPO-functionalized polystyrene macroinitiators to initiate the polymerization, no limonene oligomers in the final product were observed. Finally, when polystyrene macroinitiators and limonene were reacted in the absence of styrene monomer, limonene moieties were identified in the final polymer, resulting thus in polystyrene functionalization. This functionalization can be extended to the synthesis of novel materials based on naturally occurring terpenes, considering the variety of structures that can be obtained by applying NMP.

Role of Interface Structure and Chain Dynamics on the Diverging Glass Transition Behavior of SSBR-SiO2-PIL Elastomers.

Intermolecular interactions between the constituents of a polymer nanocomposite at the polymer–particle interface strongly affect the segmental mobility of polymer chains, correlated with their glass transition behavior, and are responsible for the improved dynamical viscoelastic properties. In this work, we emphasized on the evolution of characteristic interfaces and their dynamics in silica (SiO2 NP)-reinforced, solution-polymerized, styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) composites, whose relative prevalence varied with the phosphonium ionic liquid (PIL) volume fraction, used as an interfacial modifier. The molecular origins of such interfaces were examined through systematic dielectric spectroscopy, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and dynamic-mechanical analyses. The PIL facilitated H-bonding, cation−π, surface–phenyl, and van der Waals interfacial interactions between SSBR and SiO2 NP, thereby regulating the polymer chain dynamics, orientation, and mean-square displacement. Specifically, the mass density profiles from MD simulations revealed the dynamic gradient of polymer chains in the interfacial region as a function of radial distance from the center of mass of the SiO2 NP surface. The results showed a structuring effect to result in well-resolved density peaks at specific radial distances with the tangential orientation of styrene monomers in the vicinity of the SiO2 NP surface. These domino effects highlighted strong interfacial interactions to have an indispensable effect on the viscoelastic performance and thermal motion of SSBR molecular chains, leading to a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) by ∼15 K, validating the experimental data. More importantly, our results gave new insights into the fundamental understanding of the fact that the strength of intermolecular interactions induced by PIL at the polymer–particle interface is the key to control the α-relaxation dynamics and Tg optimization, desired for specific applications.

Diesel and gasoline like fuel production with minimum styrene content from catalytic pyrolysis of polystyrene

AbstractPyrolysis of waste polystyrene to generate fuel was carried out to yield pyrolysis oil. For the first time, NiO deposited over ZrO2 carrier as catalyst, was deployed and evaluated in the catalytic pyrolysis. Catalysts based on different loading (2, 5, 10, and 15%) of NiO deposited over ZrO2 carrier were prepared by solution combustion synthesis and tested toward screening of catalytic pyrolysis of PS in semi batch reactor. Based on conversion, yield of oil and low styrene monomer content, the catalytic performance with different loadings was evaluated and optimized. Furthermore, the oil obtained from the best catalysts were analyzed using GC–MS for carbon number distribution, depolymerization reactions, and diesel fuel generation. These catalysts were also characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pyridine FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. As compared to thermal pyrolysis, the catalytic pyrolysis process was found to be highly selective toward diesel like fuel generation with minimum styrene monomer formation. Also, 2 and 10% NiO catalyst showed the best catalytic performance in pyrolysis process that could be ascribed to the presence of Lewis and Brönsted acid sites resulting in selectivity for C16 carbon number, diesel fuel generation, and depolymerization reactions.