A review on advanced research of combine life of polystyrene (hard) and organic polymer (soft) materials: from 2018 to present

Abstract The utilization of a combination of soft and hard materials with a core shell morphology (CSM) represents a distinctive approach for harnessing the properties of a single material. This field has garnered significant attention over the past decade. Core shell systems based on polystyrene offer a remarkable amalgamation of a solid component (polystyrene) and a flexible organic polymer, thereby enhancing the potential for catalysis, biological applications, and environmental studies within the core shell system (CSS). Various configurations of polystyrene-based CSS have been extensively documented in existing literature. The structural design of CSS plays a pivotal role in determining its applicability, which is why a specific morphology is depicted for each unique application. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the classification, synthesis, properties, characterization, and applications of polystyrene-based CSS. Additionally, it briefly discusses the recent developments in drug delivery, sensing, environmental studies, and catalysis involving polystyrene-based CSS over the past six years.