Photoinitiated degradation of polystyrene in the presence of low-molecular organic compounds

The influence of low-molecular organic compounds such as benzophenone (BPh), anthraquinone (AQ) and benzoyl peroxide (BPo) on the phototransformations of polystyrene has been investigated. The viscometry, gravimetry, infrared and UV-vis spectroscopy has been used in these studies. The results indicate that additives applied accelerate and increase the efficiency of photodegradation, photodestruction and photo-oxidation processes in polystyrene but they hamper the photocrosslinking and formation of the double bonds in this polymer. In all these processes, BPh showed the greater activity as photoinitiator comparing to AQ and BPo. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.