Factorial Analysis and Thermal Kinetics of Chemical Recycling of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Aided by Neoteric Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids.

ABSTRACT: Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste accumulation poses significant environmental challenges due to its persistent nature and current management limitations. This study explores the effectiveness of imidazolium-based neoteric solvents [Emim][OAc] and [Bmim][OAc] as catalytic co-solvents in the glycolysis of PET with ethylene glycol (EG). Reaction thermal kinetics showed that both ionic liquids (ILs) significantly enhanced the depolymerization rate of PET compared to traditional methods. The use of [Emim][OAc] offered a lower activation energy of 88.69 kJ·mol^-1, thus making the process more energy-efficient. The contribution of key process parameters, including temperature (T), plastic-to-ionic liquid (P/IL) mass ratio, and plastic-to-solvent (P/S) mass ratio, were evaluated

SUBMITTER: Gil-Castell O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11397852 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature