Influences of surfactant and organic solvent pretreatment on an esterase modification of PET

摘要

Improvement of polyethylene terephthalate(PET) properties using a Rhizophus oryzae esterase, involving enzymatic surface modification of PET, was investigated. The esterase treatment resulted in enhanced hydrophilicity, increased binding with cationic dye and improved static-resistance of PET, while weight loss was pretty small. Terephthalic acid or its derivatives in the treatment solution were detected by HPLC analyses, which convinced that the esterase acted on the PET polymer actually. A further study turned out that the modification of the PET polymer was favored by the pretreatment with some organic solvents as well as the addition of some surfactants during the course of enzyme treatment.