A BaCO3 Nanomaterial for Pyrolysis of Sustainable Waste and Virgin Polystyrene into Green Aromatic Derivatives

Abstract

AbstractGreen aromatic derivatives (GADs) were obtained from waste polystyrene thermocol (WPST) and virgin polystyrene (VPS) through pyrolysis using BaCO3 (Barium carbonate nanomaterial). BaCO3 nanomaterial was synthesized in the laboratory, and their properties were characterized through XRD, EDX, and SEM. WPST and VPS were analyzed through TGA for thermal stability, and FT‐IR determined the functional groups. GADs obtained from WPST and VPS were analyzed through GC‐MS‐MS and FT‐IR. GADs were analyzed through GC‐MS‐MS and found their results were aromatic derivatives (99.29 % from VPS, while 88.77 % from WPST) and aliphatic (0.29 % from VPS, while 11.23 % from WPST). In the first experiment, 95 g VPS plastics and 5 g BaCO3 were used; the recovered quantities of liquid GADs, py‐gases, and residues amount to 90 %, 9.9 %, and 0.12 %. In the second experiment, 93 % liquid GADs, 6.85 % py‐gases (pyrolysis gases), and 0.15 % residue from 70 g VPS+20 g WTPS and 10 g BaCO3 were obtained. In the third experiment, 85 % GADs, 14.82 % py‐gases, and 0.18 % residue from 100 g WTPS without catalyst were collected. GADs were successfully obtained without any problem. GADs can be used as raw materials in chemical industries and refineries.