Styrene to inert Hydrogen and inert Carbon

[John Lutz]

TL;DR

Reducing the polymer Styrene to inert solids.

If you remove (separate) all 8 hygrogens of atypical polymer Styrene. Does is make both inert Carbon and inert Hydrogen?

Thank you!
John

 

[jrmichler]

There is no such thing as inert carbon or hydrogen. They both react easily with a number of other elements.

The easiest way to separate the atoms is to mix with oxygen, then add some heat to initiate the reaction. The resulting CO2 and H2O are as separated as you are going to get without a lot of added energy and equipment.

Unless you have access to a Maxwell's Demon, and can persuade it to reach in and pluck the atoms out one at a time. That's providing that the demon is strong enough and is provided with an external source of energy.

 

[John Lutz]

Yes, oxidatively will work over time. The facilities to house the Earth's polysterene (the polymer of the monomer styrene) would be insane. Hydrogen by itself would serve as an excellent fuel.