PoIy(ethyIene terephtalate) Recycled from Post-Consumer Soft-Drinks Bottles I.Poly(ethyIene terephtalate) depolymerization by glycolysis process

摘要

Polyethylene terephtalate) (PET), recycled from post-consumer bottles was depolymerized by glycolysis process using diethylene glycol (DEG) in the presence of zinc acetate catalyst. The glycolized products were mainly represented by monomer and dimer units. After a relatively long reaction time (over 2 h), an equilibrium was achieved between the two species. Considering the importance of the next steps, in attaining unsaturated polyesters with excellent mechanical properties, this study was concentrated on the identification and characterization of glycolysis reaction equilibrium phase. The evolution of the depolymerization reaction was investigated by the viscosity procedure, which was compared and found to be in good agreement with the functional analysis method.