Photodegradable polyethylene and polystyrene - contg photo-sensitizer with carbonyl groups

摘要

Photodegradable hydrocarbon polymer cpds. consist of polyethylene or polystyrene and a photosensitizing agent mixed with the polymer to allow decomposition of it when exposed to sunlight or other U.V. rays. The sensitizers consist of aromatic cpds. contg. =1 CO gps. The sensitizers for polystyren are pref. xanthone, dihydro-3,4-benzaldehyde, dihydroxy-2,4-benzophenone, o-chloro-benzaldehyde, dimethyl-2,4-acetophenone and partic. benzophenone, anthraquinone and anthrone. For polyethylene, the pref. sensitizer is benzophenone or anthraquinone. The sensitizers are used as 0.1-10%, pref. 1-3% by wt., of the polymer. The process is partic. suitable for use with foamed polymers.