Investigation of Catalytic Performance of Urchin-Like α-MnO_2 Nanostructures in the Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Wastes Under Microwave Irradiation

摘要

α-MnO_2nanostructures with urchin-like shape composed of nanorods were synthesized successfully using a facile hydrothermal method without employing any template or surfactant. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM and N_2 sorption. The urchin-like MnO_2 nanostructures have an average diameter of 5-7 μm and are assembled from nanorods of 30-50 nm in width and up to 1-2 μm in length. The catalytic performance of the urchin-like MnO_2 nanostructures in the degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) wastes was investigated by using ethylene glycol as solvent under microwave irradiation. FT-IR, ~1H NMR and DSC were used to identify the glycolysis products. It was found that bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate monomer was dominant in the product which was effectively separated from other oligomers in quite pure crystalline form.