Solid‐state polymerization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)

The solid‐state polymerization (SSP) of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) has been studied and compared with that of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Because PTT and PET share the same SSP mechanism, the modified second‐order kinetic model, which has successfully been used to describe the SSP behaviors of PET, also fits the SSP data of PTT prepolymers with intrinsic viscosities (IVs) ranging from 0.445 to 0.660 dL/g. According to this model, the overall SSP rate is ?dC/dt = 2k_a(C ? C_ai)², where C is the total end group concentration, t is the SSP time, k_a is the apparent reaction rate constant, and C_ai is the apparent inactive end group concentration. With this equation, the effects of all factors that influence the SSP rate are implicitly and conveniently incorporated into two parameters, k_a and C_ai. k_a increases, whereas C_ai decreases, with increasing SSP temperature, increasing prepolymer IV, and decreasing pellet size, just as for the SSP of PET. Therefore, the SSP rate increases with increasing prepolymer IV and increasing SSP temperature. The apparent activation energy is about 26 kcal/mol, and the average SSP rate about doubles with each 10°C increase in temperature within the temperature range of 200–225°C. The SSP rate increases by about 30% when the pellet size is decreased from 0.025 to 0.015 g/pellet. Compared with PET, PTT has a much lower sticking tendency and a much higher SSP rate (more than twice as high). Therefore, the SSP process for PTT can be made much simpler and more efficient than that for PET. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3188–3200, 2003     

Effects of the carboxyl concentration on the solid‐state polymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

There are two types of polycondensation reactions in the solid‐state polymerization (SSP) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), namely, transesterification and esterification. Transesterification is the reaction between two hydroxyl ends with ethylene glycol as the byproduct, and esterification is the reaction between a carboxyl end and a hydroxyl end with water as the byproduct. The SSP of powdered PET in a fluid bed is practically a reaction‐controlled process because of negligible or very small diffusion resistance. It can be proved mathematically that an optimal carboxyl concentration for reaction‐controlled SSP exists only if k₂/k₁ > 2, where k₂ and k₁ are the forward reaction rate constants of esterification and transesterification, respectively. Several interesting observations were made in fluid‐bed SSP experiments of powdered PET: (1) the SSP rate increases monotonously with decreasing carboxyl concentration, (2) k₂ < k₁ in the presence of sufficient catalyst, (3) k₁ decreases with increasing carboxyl concentration if the catalyst concentration is insufficient, and (4) the minimum catalyst concentration required to achieve the highest SSP rate decreases with decreasing carboxyl concentration. In the SSP of pelletized PET, both reaction and diffusion are important, and there exists an optimal carboxyl concentration for the fastest SSP rate because esterification, which generates the faster diffusing byproduct, is retarded less than transesterification in the presence of substantial diffusion resistance. The optimal prepolymer carboxyl concentration, which ranges from 25 to 40% of the total end‐group concentration in most commercial SSP processes, increases with increasing pellet size and product molecular weight. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1288–1304, 2002     

Analysis of a reactor with surface renewal for poly(ethylene terephthalate) synthesis

A mathematical model of a polycondensation reactor that can be used in the final stage for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is established and compared with experimental data obtained from a laboratory scale reactor with film renewal. Detailed side reactions are considered along with the diffusional removal of the small molecules through thin film. Among several kinetic constants, the polycondensation reaction rate constant k₁(= k₈) and diester group degradation reaction rate constant k₇ have an influence over the degree of polymerization. The values of k₁(= k₈) and k₇ for 0.05 wt% Sb₂O₃ were obtained as curve-fit values: (1) k₁(= k₈) = 3.4 × 10⁶ exp(? 18.500/RT′) (L/mol-min); (2) k₇ = 1.3 × 10¹¹ exp(? 37,800/RT′) (min^?1). Effects of the film exposure time, reduced pressure of vacuum, temperature, the initial terephthalic acid (TPA)/ethylene glycol (EG) mole ratio, the initial degree of polymerization, and catalysts were well explained by the model.     

Effect of poly(ethylene glycol) on the solid‐state polymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and end‐capped poly(ethylene glycol) (poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (PEGDME)) of number average molecular weight 1000 g mol^?1 was melt blended with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) oligomer. NMR, DSC and WAXS techniques characterized the structure and morphology of the blends. Both these samples show reduction in T_g and similar crystallization behavior. Solid‐state polymerization (SSP) was performed on these blend samples using Sb₂O₃ as catalyst under reduced pressure at temperatures below the melting point of the samples. Inherent viscosity data indicate that for the blend sample with PEG there is enhancement of SSP rate, while for the sample with PEGDME the SSP rate is suppressed. NMR data showed that PEG is incorporated into the PET chain, while PEGDME does not react with PET. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Film reaction kinetics for melt postpolycondensation of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Melt polycondensation has recently been reported to prepare high-viscosity poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), the reaction efficiency is greatly improved in over 10-folds compared with conventional solid state polycondensation (SSP). Melt postpolycondensation of common PET chips was conducted in specified film thickness to obtain industrial PET. Based on the investigation of reaction conditions, film reaction kinetics were determined in the principle of end groups analysis. It was positively regulated that the intrinsic viscosity of PET could be achieved in condition of high vacuum, thin melt film and proper temperature, degradation reaction would be increased at exorbitant temperature. An apparent reaction kinetic model was proposed and was verified by experiments. Results indicated the activation energy of melt postpolycondensation of PET was 88.22 kJ/mol and the reaction rate constant was significant higher than that of solid state polycondensation.     

Alkali decomposition of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with sodium hydroxide in nonaqueous ethylene glycol: A study on recycling of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol

Pellets of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET; 0.48–1.92 g) were heated in anhydrous ethylene glycol (EG; 5 mL) with 2-equivs of NaOH at 150°C for 80 min or 180°C for 15 min to convert them quantitatively to disodium terephthalate (Na₂-TPA) and EG. The disodium salt was precipitated quantitatively in pure state from the EG solution and separated readily. The other product EG, being the same component to the solvent, remains in the solution and can be obtained after distillation as a part of the solvent. The rate of decomposition was significantly accelerated by the addition of ethereal solvents to EG, such as dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and dimethoxyethane. The reaction system is simple; no water and no extra reagent other than NaOH and EG are used. A few recycling systems of PET can be designed on the basis of the present alkali decomposition reaction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 595–601, 1997     

Microstructure and crystallization of melt‐mixed poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene isophthalate) blends

Physical blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene isophthalate) (PEI), abbreviated PET/PEI (80/20) blends, and of PET and a random poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate) copolymer containing 40% ethylene isophthalate (PET₆₀I₄₀), abbreviated PET/PET₆₀I₄₀ (50/50) blends, were melt‐mixed at 270°C for different reactive blending times to give a series of copolymers containing 20 mol % of ethylene isophthalic units with different degrees of randomness. ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy precisely determined the microstructure of the blends. The thermal and mechanical properties of the blends were evaluated by DSC and tensile assays, and the obtained results were compared with those obtained for PET and a statistically random PETI copolymer with the same composition. The microstructure of the blends gradually changed from a physical blend into a block copolymer, and finally into a random copolymer with the advance of transreaction time. The melting temperature and enthalpy of the blends decreased with the progress of melt‐mixing. Isothermal crystallization studies carried out on molten samples revealed the same trend for the crystallization rate. The effect of reaction time on crystallizability was more pronounced in the case of the PET/PET₆₀I₄₀ (50/50) blends. The Young's modulus of the melt‐mixed blends was comparable to that of PET, whereas the maximum tensile stress decreased with respect to that of PET. All blend samples showed a noticeable brittleness. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3076–3086, 2003     

Butanol alcoholysis reaction of polyethylene terephthalate using acidic ionic liquid as catalyst

The alcoholysis reaction of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and n‐butanol to produce dibutyl terephthalate (DBTP) and ethylene glycol (EG) was investigated in the presence of a Brönsted–Lewis acidic ionic liquid (IL). It was found that a synergetic effect of Brönsted and Lewis acid sites enhanced the IL catalytic performance, and (3‐sulfonic acid) propyltriethylammonium chlorozincinate [HO₃S‐(CH₂)₃‐NEt₃]Cl‐ZnCl₂ (molar fraction of ZnCl₂ (x) was 0.67) was a good catalyst for the reaction. The conversion of PET was 100%, and the yields of DBTP and EG were 95.3% and 95.7% at 205°C for 8 h, respectively. The reusability of IL was good and after it was used seven times, PET conversion and the yields of DBTP and EG did not significantly decrease. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1840–1844, 2013     

Analysis of photofading of phenylazo-indole and phenylazo-N-ethanolaniline disperse dyes on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric using the PM5 method

The photofading behaviors of phenylazo-N-(ethanol)aniline and phenylazo-indole, nitrohetarylazo-N-substituted aniline disperse dyes on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate were analyzed using the Kubelka-Munk (K/S) parameters of the dyed fabrics exposed to a carbon arc in air. The initial experimental slopes (K_PET) of fading on PET were estimated from the time profiles of the K/S values at the λ_max. The rates (k_0,i) of reaction of these dyes with ¹O₂ were estimated by frontier orbital theory using the PM5 method. The photosensitivities (f_i) of the dyes were estimated from the K_PET assuming that the K_PET values are proportional to the product of k_0,i and f_i. Dyes with small f_i values, irrespective of their k_0,i values, possess excellent lightfastness (LF), while dyes with larger f_i values possess poorer LF. The validity of estimating k_0,i values by the MO method was confirmed experimentally by analyzing the mutually photosensitized fading behaviors of combination dyeings.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic study of methanolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste powder

Depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste (PETW) was carried out by methanolysis using zinc acetate in the presence of lead acetate as the catalyst at 120–140 °C in a closed batch reactor. The particle size ranging from 50 to 512.5 µm and the reaction time 60 to 150 min required for methanolysis of PETW were optimized. Optimal percentage conversion of PETW into dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG) was 97.8% (at 120 °C) and 100% (at 130 and 140 °C) for the optimal reaction time of 120 min. Yields of DMT and EG were almost equal to PET conversion. EG and DMT were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. To avoid oxidation/carbonization during the reaction, methanolysis reactions were carried out below 150 °C. A kinetic model is developed and the experimental data show good agreement with the kinetic model. Rate constants, equilibrium constant, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy of reaction are also evaluated at 120, 130 and 140 °C. The methanolysis rate constant of the reaction at 140 °C (10.3 atm) was 1.4 × 10^?3 g PET mol^?1 min^?1. The activation energy and the frequency factor for methanolysis of PETW were 95.31 kJ mol^?1 and 107.1 g PET mol^?1 min^?1, respectively. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of pH and Neutral Salts on the Adsorption of the Poly(ethylene glycol terephthalate) Condensates Toward Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fiber

This study deals with the effects of pH and neutral salts on the adsorption of PET fiber with four kinds of poly(ethylene glycol terephthalate) condensated from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The surface properties of the aqueous solution, the contact angle of polyol‐treated PET fabrics, and its parameters were also discussed. The pH of the solution or the adding of neutral salt in the polyol solution largely affected the contact angle of polyol‐treated PET fabrics as well as the surface tension of the solution. A lower pH of the polyol solution or adding neutral salts in the solution showed a lower surface tension and a lower contact angle that resulted in a better adsorption between polyol and poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers. The lower pH of the solutions and a higher valence of the added neutral salt in the solution showed a largely positive effect on the adsorption parameters, and the order of effectiveness is Al₂(SO₄)₃ > MgSO₄ > Na₂SO₄.     

Comparative Biochemistry of Four Polyester (PET) Hydrolases**

The potential of bioprocessing in a circular plastic economy has strongly stimulated research into the enzymatic degradation of different synthetic polymers. Particular interest has been devoted to the commonly used polyester, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and a number of PET hydrolases have been described. However, a kinetic framework for comparisons of PET hydrolases (or other plastic-degrading enzymes) acting on the insoluble substrate has not been established. Herein, we propose such a framework, which we have tested against kinetic measurements for four PET hydrolases. The analysis provided values of k_cat and K_M, as well as an apparent specificity constant in the conventional units of M⁻¹s⁻¹. These parameters, together with experimental values for the number of enzyme attack sites on the PET surface, enabled comparative analyses. A variant of the PET hydrolase from Ideonella sakaiensis was the most efficient enzyme at ambient conditions; it relied on a high k_cat rather than a low K_M. Moreover, both soluble and insoluble PET fragments were consistently hydrolyzed much faster than intact PET. This suggests that interactions between polymer strands slow down PET degradation, whereas the chemical steps of catalysis and the low accessibility associated with solid substrate were less important for the overall rate. Finally, the investigated enzymes showed a remarkable substrate affinity, and reached half the saturation rate on PET when the concentration of attack sites in the suspension was only about 50 nM. We propose that this is linked to nonspecific adsorption, which promotes the nearness of enzyme and attack sites.     

Effect of antimony catalyst on solid-state polycondensation of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effect of antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) catalyst on the solid-state polycondensation (SSP) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) has been rigorously studied. It has been determined that the rate constant increases, while the activation energy decreases, linearly with increasing catalyst concentration within the range of 0-100 ppm Sb. The SSP rate reaches its maximum value at about 150 ppm Sb. The activation energies are 30.7 and 23.3 kcal/mol respectively for the uncatalyzed and fully catalyzed SSP. The frequency factor decreases with increasing catalyst concentration due to the decreased mobility of catalyzed end groups. A mechanism of Sb catalysis has been proposed to explain these observations.     

Solid state polymerization (SSP) of low molecular weight poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolyesters compared to conventional SSP of PET

SSP, starting from very low molecular weight (MW) poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) precursors, is claimed to offer significant production cost advantages over conventional PET production. However, as the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the PET precursor is reduced, there is a significant change in the crystallization behavior of PET and morphology that affects reactivity in SSP. Using small particle size PET to significantly reduce the effects of diffusion so that SSP is under chemical reaction control and using a kinetic model that describes an overall SSP rate, the effect of ethylene isophthalate substitution on the SSP rate from low MW PET precursor was determined. As the ethylene isophthalate comonomer content increases, the rate of SSP for low MW PET increases. The activation energy for SSP of low MW PET decreases with an increase in the ethylene isophthalate content. For the low MW PET copolyesters in this study, the SSP activation energy is comparable to conventional process when the comonomer content of the low MW polyester is around 7 mol % and the conventional precursor is around 3 mol %. However, even though the activation energy is reduced through the use of higher comonomer content, the overall rate of SSP for the low MW copolyesters studied is significantly slower than conventional SSP. This reduction in rate is explained by differences in crystallinity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 230–238, 2002     

Solubility and esterification kinetics of terephthalic acid in ethylene glycol III. The effects of functional groups

Clear time (t_cl), the time required for the turbid mixture of terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) to be clear, was measured to examine the effect of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) prepolymer (DP of 1–5) on the kinetics of dissolution and/or ester-ification of TPA with EG. The t_cl of the mixture of TPA/EG (1 : 1.5 in molar ratio) was reduced to 1 : 2.2 or 1 : 3.5 by addition of 30 wt % of PET prepolymer or bis-(2-hydroxyl ethyl) terephthalate (BHET), respectively. Diethyl terephthalate (DET) as an addititive was used as a model compound to examine the effects of the —OH group on the esterification reaction of TPA/EG. The t_cl value increased with addition of DET. The effect of the carbonyl group was also examined by determining esterification rates of benzoic acid (BA) with either ethylene glycol monobezoate (EGMB) as a compound with carbonyl group, or 2-penoxyethanol (2-PhE) as a compound without the carbonyl group. The reaction rate of BA with EGMB was much higher than that of BA with 2-PhE, which indicates that the carbonyl group gave an increasing effect of the esterification rate. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed that the —OH group in both BHET and EGMB formed intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the ester carbonyl group. On the basis of these observations, we concluded that the electron density of oxygen in the hydroxyl group increased through the formation of the intramolecular hydrogen bond. The increased electron density gave the —OH group easier access to the carbonyl carbon in BA, leading to an increase in the esterification rate. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Calcined Zn/Al hydrotalcites as solid base catalysts for glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

In this research, glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with ethylene glycol (EG) was carried out using Zn/Al mixed oxide catalyst. These mixed oxides were prepared by calcining crystalline Zn/Al hydrotalcites at different calcination temperatures. The samples and corresponding precursors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, BET, Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, and Hammett titration method. The experimental results showed that Zn/Al mixed oxides obtained from hydrotalcites were found to be more active than their individual oxides for glycolysis of PET. The relationship between catalytic performance and chemical–physical features of catalysts was established. In addition, a study for optimizing the glycolysis reaction conditions, such as the weight ratio of EG to PET, catalyst amount and reaction time, was performed. The conversion of PET and yield of bis(2‐hydroxyethyl terephthalate) (BHET) reached about 92% and 79%, respectively, under the optimal experimental conditions. Moreover, it should be noted that Zn/Al mixed oxide not only provided an effective heterogeneous catalyst for glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate), but also presented a novel method for decolorization of discarded colored polyester fabric. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41053.     

Reaction Pathways for the Enzymatic Degradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate): What Characterizes an Efficient PET-Hydrolase?

Bioprocessing of polyester waste has emerged as a promising tool in the quest for a cyclic plastic economy. One key step is the enzymatic breakdown of the polymer, and this entails a complicated pathway with substrates, intermediates, and products of variable size and solubility. We have elucidated this pathway for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and four enzymes. Specifically, we combined different kinetic measurements and a novel stochastic model and found that the ability to hydrolyze internal bonds in the polymer (endo-lytic activity) was a key parameter for overall enzyme performance. Endo-lytic activity promoted the release of soluble PET fragments with two or three aromatic rings, which, in turn, were broken down with remarkable efficiency (k_cat/K_M values of about 10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹) in the aqueous bulk. This meant that approximatly 70 % of the final, monoaromatic products were formed via soluble di- or tri-aromatic intermediates.     

Effect of alkali on filaments of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and its copolyesters. II. Presence of quaternary ammonium salt in the alkali-bath

Influence of alkyl (C₁₂–C₁₄)-dimethyl-benzyl ammonium chloride in the solution of sodium hydroxide on the hydrolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), anionically modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolyster (CDP), and block polymer of poly(ethylene terephthalate)-poly(ethylene glycol) (EDP), has been studied under a variety of proportions, concentrations, time and temperature of reaction, M : L ratio, etc. Mechanical properties of treated polymeric materials are evaluated. Hydrolysis of two polymers in the same bath is compared with that in separate baths.     

Antistatic modification of synthetic fibers by blend-spinning of polymers containing zwitterionic antistatic modifiers and their copolymers

New poly(oxyethylene) derivatives (S-betaine) having a zwitterionic structure of ammoniumsulfonate were prepared by the reaction of oxirane (EO) adducts of stearylamine with sodium chloromethanesulfonate and examined as blending antistatic modifiers for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polyamide 6 (PA6) fibers. The blend PET and PA6 fibers containing 2.0 wt.-% of S-betaine exhibited a decreased half-life time of leakage of electrostatic charge (t_1/2) and a surface area resistivity (R_s) compared with those of the control PET and PA6 fibers. However, their antistatic properties were almost lost after repeated washings, because of the extraction of the agents. To increase the resistivity to washing, copolyester-type modifiers comprising both S-betaine and poly(ethylene glycol) were synthesized and incorporated into PET fibers. It was found that the antistatic properties of the blend PET fibers obtained can be retained even after dyeing and repeated washings.