Depolymerization of waste polyethylene terephthalate - PET: Effects of surfactants and excess of alkaline solutions

Abstract

The depolymerization of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in aqueous solutions 7.5 M of sodium hydroxide was tested at 1000C and 1 atm, in order to obtain the terephthalic acid monomers (TPA). The effect from surfactants and concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on the reaction extent of depolymerization was studied quantitatively by gravimetric and thermal measurements. Excess of alkaline solution catalyze the reaction and doubled the reaction rate with larger particle size PET. The surfactants DDS and Tween are efficient in catalyzing larger particle size PET under equimolar conditions, but do not affect the reactions under excess of alkaline solution.