STUDIES OF PHOTODEGRADABLE POLYSTYRENE

Abstract The photodegradation of Polystyrenes containing sensitizers, such as aromatic nitro or quinone compounds, has been investigated. It was found that 1,4-naphthoquinone is the most effective sensitizer for the photodegradation of polystyrene among those tested in this study. The products of the light-irradiated polystyrene were examined by the IR spectroscopy and the thin layer chromatography. It is concluded that the photodegradation of the polystyrene proceeds mainly through the photo-oxidation of polymer.