Solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene plastic under visible light irradiation by graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets

IF 6.3 2区化学 Q1 POLYMER SCIENCE

Polymer Degradation and Stability Pub Date : 2025-04-10 DOI:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111372

Abbas Al-Nayili, Ahoud M. Kadhim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In recent years, the production of polystyrene has increased in scale to satisfy rising demand. Therefore, a significant amount of polystyrene waste is still produced, along with related environmental and health issues. Under the influence of visible light irradiation, this study examined the solid-phase photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene (PS) plastic using graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CNs) in the surrounding air. The CNs were synthesized and characterized, and their surfaces were examined. Different techniques were used to investigate the CNs' efficacy as photocatalysts after they were combined with polystyrene to create a homogeneous blend. The techniques included monitoring the changes in weight loss, depression in molecular weight, and surface morphology following irradiation. The main byproducts of the effective breakdown of PS-CNs composite plastic are water and CO₂. After 50 h of exposure to visible light, the PS-CNs (8 wt %) film lost 10 % of its weight. Additionally, irradiated polystyrene containing CNs showed the greatest amount of surface alterations, including the formation of cracks, roughness, and dark spots. A plausible mechanism was objectively provided based on proof and was in good agreement with the data gathered. According to the current study, polymer-CNs compositing is a viable and feasible method of decomposing plastic waste in the presence of visible light without causing any pollution.

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近年来，聚苯乙烯的生产规模不断扩大，以满足日益增长的需求。因此，仍有大量的聚苯乙烯废弃物产生，并伴随着相关的环境和健康问题。在可见光照射的影响下，本研究利用石墨氮化碳纳米片（CNs）在周围空气中对聚苯乙烯（PS）塑料进行固相光催化降解。研究人员合成了氮化石墨碳纳米片，对其进行了表征，并对其表面进行了检测。使用不同的技术来研究氮化石墨碳纳米片与聚苯乙烯混合形成均匀混合物后，氮化石墨碳纳米片作为光催化剂的功效。这些技术包括监测辐照后重量损失、分子量降低和表面形态的变化。PS-CNs 复合塑料有效分解的主要副产品是水和二氧化碳。在可见光下照射 50 小时后，PS-CNs（8 wt %）薄膜的重量减少了 10%。此外，含有氯化萘的聚苯乙烯经辐照后表面变化最大，包括形成裂纹、粗糙度和黑斑。根据证据客观地提供了一个合理的机制，并与收集到的数据十分吻合。根据目前的研究，聚合物与氯化萘的复合是一种可行的方法，可在可见光条件下分解塑料垃圾，且不会造成任何污染。

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来源期刊

Polymer Degradation and Stability 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

10.10

自引率

10.20%

发文量

325

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： Polymer Degradation and Stability deals with the degradation reactions and their control which are a major preoccupation of practitioners of the many and diverse aspects of modern polymer technology. Deteriorative reactions occur during processing, when polymers are subjected to heat, oxygen and mechanical stress, and during the useful life of the materials when oxygen and sunlight are the most important degradative agencies. In more specialised applications, degradation may be induced by high energy radiation, ozone, atmospheric pollutants, mechanical stress, biological action, hydrolysis and many other influences. The mechanisms of these reactions and stabilisation processes must be understood if the technology and application of polymers are to continue to advance. The reporting of investigations of this kind is therefore a major function of this journal. However there are also new developments in polymer technology in which degradation processes find positive applications. For example, photodegradable plastics are now available, the recycling of polymeric products will become increasingly important, degradation and combustion studies are involved in the definition of the fire hazards which are associated with polymeric materials and the microelectronics industry is vitally dependent upon polymer degradation in the manufacture of its circuitry. Polymer properties may also be improved by processes like curing and grafting, the chemistry of which can be closely related to that which causes physical deterioration in other circumstances.