Dissolution of polystyrene into p-cymene and related substances in tree leaf oils

Abstract

We examined the dissolution of polystyrene into p-cymene and related substances to develop an alternative method for the recycling of expanded polystyrene. The dissolving power of p-cymene [212.0 g (100 g solvent)-1] to polystyrene at 50°C compared favorably with those of 2-p-cymenol [156.7 g (100 g solvent)-1], (R)-limonene and its structural isomers [181.7-197.1 g (100 g solvent)-1], and Abies leaf oil [84.7 g (100 g solvent)-1]. The favorable solubility of polystyrene into p-cymene can be explained by the solubility parameter. p-Cymene and polystyrene can be recovered almost quantitatively from the polystyrene solution by simple steam distillation. © 2009 The Japan Wood Research Society.