Degraded pet for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution

Abstract

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste was degraded by glycolysis in order to obtain low molecular weight molecules for the batch removal of Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The degradation product was characterized by IR, H1NMR, DSC, and GPC, being identified as bis(2-hydroxy ethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The results show that metal absorption follows the order Pb(II)>Cd(II)>Ni(II)>Cu(II)>Cr(III). Degraded PET presented an affinity to remove over 75% of lead in solution at pH 4 and 5 and cadmium over 70% at pH 6. IR spectroscopy and DSC evidenced the presence of metal ions in the structure of the material.