ABSTRACT
The aim of this work is to prepare catalysts for energy efficient conversion of polystyrene (PS) and its waste into valuable products with high conversion at 250⯰C. The FeCo/Alumina bimetallic catalyst was synthesized by aqueous impregnation and structurally determined using scanning-transmission electron microscopy, temperature programmed desorption, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Successfully, we have achieved up to 91% liquid yield with selectivities for styrene monomer (SM) up to 45â¯wt% and ethylbenzene (EB) up to 55â¯wt%, depending on the exposure time at 250⯰C by FeCo/Alumina which is comparable to those of reactions at high temperatures (≥350⯰C). Further increase of catalyst loadings from 200 to 400â¯mg also led to the decrease in styrene yield and increase in ethylbenzene yield. The analysis of the resulting clear liquid by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) indicates the generation of products in the gasoline range.