From aminolysis product of PET waste to value-added products of polymer and assistants

Abstract

In this work, the aminolysis depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET was carried out with ethanolamine and several acetates as catalysts. The main product, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide (BHETA), was identified from FTIR and 1H NMR. It was found that PET depolymerization is favoured by increasing temperature, time and catalysts. Results shown that under present conditions of aminolysis, the conversion of PET was 100% and high yield of BHETA. Moreover, aminolysis products have the potential to undergo further reactions to yield secondary value-added product, such as unsaturated polyesters, polyurethanes, epoxy resin hardeners and non-ionic polymer surfactants. © Smithers Rapra Technology, 2014.