The present invention provides new technological solution in order to improve working characteristics of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam (thermal resistance, resistance to direct flame, moisture, microorganisms, etc.). Deposition of SiO2 and TiO2 nanoclusters is performed on non-expanded polystyrene beads using reactive magnetron sputtering technique. This invention covers combined three-step method: change of polystyrene beads surface energy using low-temperature plasma activation (Tions ≤ 105 K) in order to improve nanoclusters adhesion on beads surface; formation of nanoclusters in reactive Ar+O2 gas environment; expansion of polystyrene beads and formation of expanded polystyrene slabs.
Patent number 6383
Varnagiris Š., Donelienė J., Tučkutė S., Čėsnienė J., Lelis M., Milčius D. Expanded polystyrene foam formed from polystyrene beads coated with a nanocrystalline SiO2 film and the analysis of its moisture adsorption and resistance to mechanical stress // Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering Vol. 57, Iss. 13. 2018. p. 1296-1302
Varnagiris Š., Girdzevičius D., Urbonavičius M., Milčius D. Incorporation of SiO2 and TiO2 additives into expanded polystyrene foam using physical vapour deposition technique (10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.073) // Energy Procedia. ISSN 1876-6102. Vol. 128. 2017. p. 525–532