Polystyrene waste was depolymerised by using various acidic and basic catalysts. Among the metal oxides, calcium oxide was found to be the cheapest and most effective catalyst for the depolymerization of waste polystyrene into styrene. Metal carbonates provided pure styrene, but in low yields. Acids were found to be poor catalysts for depolymerisation, since they led to further reactions leading to side products.
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