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The degradation of high impact polystyrene with and without starch in concentrated activated sludge
Author(s) -
Jasso G. C. F.,
GonzálezOrtiz L. J.,
Contreras J. R.,
Mendizábal M. E.,
Mora G. J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.10252
Subject(s) - materials science , gel permeation chromatography , extrusion , polymer , degradation (telecommunications) , polystyrene , starch , activated sludge , scanning electron microscope , polymer degradation , composite material , chemical engineering , waste management , chemistry , organic chemistry , sewage treatment , telecommunications , computer science , engineering
Disposal of plastic solid waste is primarily accomplished by landfilling, degradation, and recycling. Degradation is highly justified in some applications. In this work, high impact polystyrene blended with starch (16–32% weight) in a “V” mixer is degraded in concentrated activated sludge for 12 weeks. Samples of 0.75 mm thickness were obtained in ribbon geometry by single screw extrusion. Mechanical degradation was determined by stress‐strain tests. Gel permeation chromatography measurements established changes towards lower polymer molecular weights. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed the presence of microorganisms in the polymer samples, as well as changes in polymer morphology in areas near holes produced in samples. Results demonstrate the utility of concentrated activated sludge in polymer degradation and the effectiveness of starch inclusion as a filler to accelerate the structural molecular changes.