title: Conversion of post consumer waste polystyrene into a high value adsorbent and its sorptive properties for Congo Red removal from aqueous solution.
abstract: Using post-consumer waste polystyrene (WPS), a conjugated microporous polymer (CMP) was synthesised and activated into a sulphonic-group carrying resin (SCMP). The surface chemistry of the materials showed a decline in both the aromatic CH and aliphatic CH2stretching vibrations confirming successful crosslinking. The synthesised polymers were thermally stable with decomposition temperatures above 300 °C, had surface heterogeneity, and BET surface areas of 752 and 510 m2/g, respectively. A distribution of pores ranging from meso- to micro-pores was comparable to other CMPs. The materials had maximum adsorption capacities of 500 and 357 mg/g for Congo Red (CR) on CMP and SCMP, respectively. Converting waste polystyrene to an adsorbent is a cost effective way of handling waste and simultaneously providing material for wastewater remediation.
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Engineering, Science and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: nchaukura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nhamo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaukura
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Engineering, Science and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Bhekie B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Mamba
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Engineering, Science and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shivani B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mishra
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D003224:Congo Red / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013696:Temperature; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D003224:Congo Red; D011137:Polystyrenes; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Crosslinking; Microporous; Sorption; Waste polystyrene