Microwave Irradiation as Energy Source in Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Chemical Recycling

Microwave assisted ester bond breaking of poly (ethylene terephthalate)(PET) was performedby using glycerin, diethylene glycol (DEG) and monoethanol amine (MEA) as trans esterificationreagents and potassium or sodium hydroxide as the catalysts, and results were compared withconventional heating methods. Trans esterification products were identified by using FTIR,H NMR and C NMR spectroscopy techniques and compared authentic samples . In allexperiments reaction fate comparisons showed significant enhancing in the microwaveassisted react ions. Results showed the dependence of the recycled tcrephthalic acid (TPA) on thecatalyst concentration while the minimum rate is observed in 1.3 mol L of KOH and 1.9mol L of NaOH, respectively..