Waste expanded polystyrene (EPS) represents a source of valuable chemical products like styrene and other aromatics. The catalytic degradation was carried out in a batch reactor with a mixture of polystyrene (PS) and catalyst at 450 ℃ for 30 min in case of Mg and at 400 ℃ for 2 h both for MgO and MgCO3 catalysts. At optimum degradation conditions, EPS was degraded into 82.20±3.80 wt%, 91.60±0.20 wt% and 81.80±0.53 wt% liquid with Mg, MgO and MgCO3 catalysts, respectively. The liquid products obtained were separated into different fractions by fractional_x000D_ distillation. The liquid fractions obtained with three catalysts were compared, and characterized using GC-MS. Maximum conversion of EPS into styrene monomer (66.6 wt%) was achieved with Mg catalyst, and an increase in selectivity of compounds was also observed. The major fraction at 145 ℃ showed the properties of styrene monomer. The results showed that among the catalysts used, Mg was found to be the most effective catalyst for selective conversion into_x000D_ styrene monomer as value added product.

Waste Polystyrene Catalytic Degradation Selective Conversion Chemical Products Styrene Monomer

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