Cross‐linked polystyrene and polydivinylbenzene release significant amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at ambient temperature

Abstract

AbstractCross‐linked polystyrene and polydivinylbenzene (PDVB) have unreacted pendant vinyl groups. They readily undergo aging or oxidation with air even at room temperature, giving rise to formation of OH and  (CO)CH3 groups within the polymers. We now report that the aging process involves the release of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) in significant amounts at 40 °C and the rate increases with time and temperature. The amounts of CO and H2 released from PDVB at a given temperature can be expressed using a polynomial equation of Aa = Bt + Ct2, where Aa is the accumulated amount, t is the time in the unit of day, and B and C are the coefficients. The coefficients B and D increase with increasing temperature. This result shows that the storage rooms for the above polymers and their composites should be well ventilated to prevent inhalation of CO by the workers and H2‐induced potential hazards.