Chemical Degradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)

Abstract

The possibility of converting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into terephthalic acid as a primary material by using different techniques through trans-esterification, with an alcohol and through hydrolysis in basic medium, has been investigated. In addition, utilization of activating agents such as inorganic salts and phase transfer catalysts has been investigated.Mineral water and beverage bottles were collected, cleaned and crushed into flakes suitable for the intended experiments. Also, the main products of chemical conversion of such wastes were isolated and confirmed by authentication with standard terephthalic acid through Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) technique. The reaction yield % was determined to optimize the corresponding experimental conditions and the obtained results have been presented and discussed.

Keywords:

• chemical degradation
• depolymerization
• phase transfer catalysis
• poly(ethylene terephthalate)
• terephthalic acid

Acknowledgments

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is cordially acknowledged for partial funding of the current work.