Polystyrene

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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.

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

  1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290076081_Catalytic_cracking_and_thermal_cracking_of_waste_polystyrene
  2. https://www.cae.tntech.edu/~jbiernacki/CHE%204410%202019/Kinetics%20and%20Mechanism-Zeng.pdf
  3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/245060096_Thermal_degradation_of_polystyrene_wastes_in_various_solvents
  4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.27960
  5. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bacteria-turn-styrofoam-i/

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