Poly (ethylene terephthalate) synthesis with catalysts derived from chrysotile asbestos

Abstract

The chrysotile asbestos was converted to the forsterite-type compounds by calcination at 740 and 800ºC (F7-740 and F7-800), which were used as a catalyst for the polycondensation of bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate affording poly (ethylene terephthalate). The obtained forsterite-type compounds did not show any catalytic activity. However, the products obtained by simply treating them with acetic acid significantly promoted the polymerization that produced a THFinsoluble polymer. It was found that the polymer prepared with the acetic acid-treated F7-740 at 160ºC for 2 h showed a 93% yield and the number average molecular weight of 6.4 × 103. The observed catalytic activity was higher than that for the acetic acid-treated magnesium oxide, as well as the typical polycondensation catalysts, such as magnesium acetate and antimony oxide.