Catalytic effect on depolymerization of used polystyrene to ethylbenzene

Abstract

The catalytic effect on depolymerization of used polystyrene to ethylbenzene was studied. The cracking reaction was carried out under hydrogen or nitrogen pressure with bifunctional catalysts, i.e. Fe-Sn-F, Ni-Sn-F, Co-Sn-F, Fe-Zn-F, Fe-Pb-F and Fe-Al-F supported on molecular sieve. The optimum condition for hydrocracking was 400 psig initial hydrogen pressure, at 350 ํC and 15% by weight of Fe(5%)-Sn(5%)-F(2%) on molecular sieve catalyst for 90 minutes. The optimum condition for cracking under nitrogen pressure was similar to hydrocracking, but the initial nitrogen pressure was 300 psig. The main components of products from both conditions were ethylbenzene, toluene, iso-propylbenzene and xylenes.