Thermal decomposition behaviors and dust explosion characteristics of nano-polystyrene

With the development of nano-powder technology, polymeric nano-materials are widely used in various industries, while not much research on their thermal decomposition and dust explosion characteristics has been conducted. The thermal behaviors and explosion characteristic parameters of the nano-polystyrene (nano-PS) with a typical particle size of 90 nm were studied by employing thermogravimetric analysis (TG), MIE-D 1.2 minimum ignition energy (MIE) test device, and 20-L spherical dust explosion test equipment. The results showed that the thermal decomposition of the nano-PS occurred in a two-step process which was different from the single process for conventional PS. Meanwhile, the reaction rate of the thermal decomposition for nano-PS increased with the heating rate. The TG and DTG curves shifted to the higher-temperature zone when the heating rate increased, and the initial temperature, final temperature, temperature at the maximum rate, and the maximum rate also increased. The sensitivity parameter of the minimum ignition energy of nano-PS varied as the dust concentration altered, and the most sensitive explosive concentration was about 200 g m⁻³. Also, nano-PS was proved to be quite sensitive to the electrostatic spark, as its calculated MIE value was as low as 11 mJ. For the severity parameters, the explosion pressure and its rising rate of nano-PS tended to increase at first and then decrease with the increase in dust concentrations. According to the risk classification standard, the explosion risk class of nano-PS was St2. The results were further extensively compared to other previous works. The results demonstrated both the higher explosion possibility and severity of nano-PS. This study could provide guidance for the safety management of nano-PS in its manufacture, storage, and handling process.