Structure and thermal properties of various alcoholysis products from waste poly(ethylene terephthalate). (15th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Xing; Wang, Chenxi; Fang, Changqing; Yu, Ruien; Li, Yaguang; Lei, Wanqing
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 85(2019)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2019-02-15
• Subjects: Alcoholysis -- Waste PET -- Recycling -- Poly(propylene glycol) -- Thermal stability; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.12.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Different kinds of waste PET (bottles) were recycled. Usage of oligomer as alcoholysis agent. The presentation of bulk structures of the waste PET degradation products. Abstract: Waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been a core member in plastic polluters due to the great amount consumption in food packaging, soft-drink bottles, fibers and films. It is essential to recycle waste PET and alcoholysis is a significant way to accomplish chemical recycling. In this work, three kinds of dihydric alcohols, including neopentyl glycol (NPG), dipropylene glycol (DPG) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), were employed to decompose waste PET with different temperatures, catalysts, and PET. A series of alcoholysis products with different appearance were obtained. The bulk structure and thermal properties of alcoholysis products were investigated by FTIR, 1 H NMR, MALDI-TOF, DSC and TG experiments. It is found that poly(propylene glycol) may react with waste PET to generate copolymer instead of oligomer products, dimers or trimers, etc. This product possesses excellent shelf stability and present transparent appearance, which may hold a great potential application in chemical industry. Moreover, the alcoholysis activity of DPG is the lowest comparing with NPG and EG in degradation of waste PET.