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Alkaline depolymerization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)
Author(s) -
Kim Joon Ho,
Lee Joon Jung,
Yoon Ji Young,
Lyoo Won Seok,
Kotek Richard
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1828
Subject(s) - depolymerization , diethylene glycol , ethylene glycol , triethylene glycol , sodium hydroxide , polymer chemistry , chemistry , dimethyl terephthalate , ether , nuclear chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reaction media, composition, and temperature on the rate of the alkaline depolymerization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT). The alkaline depolymerization of PTT was carried out at 160–190°C in ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGMBE), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGMEE), and a mixture of these solvents. During the reaction, PTT was quantitatively converted to disodium terephthalate and 1,3‐propanediol. The alkaline depolymerization reaction rate constants were calculated based on the concentration of sodium carboxylate, which was equivalent to the molar amount of sodium hydroxide. The depolymerization rate of PTT was increased by increasing the reaction temperature and by adding ethereal solvents. Moreover, the depolymerization rate was significantly accelerated in the order of EG < DEG < TEG < EGMBE < DEGMEE. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 99–107, 2001