Quantification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in environmental samples after methanolysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

ABSTRACT: Quantification of the polyester poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in environmental samples is a particular challenge. Due to strong matrix effects by inorganic compounds, thermoanalytical methods are not recommendable for a precise quantification of PET in complex environmental matrices. It was shown that depolymerization followed by determination of chemolysis products is a good alternative. In this study, we developed a quantification method for PET based on methanolysis to terephthalic acid dimethyl ester using sodium methoxide as a catalyst, and subsequent determination via GC-MS. With poly(ethylene terephthalate-d₄), we introduce a new internal standard covering the whole analytical process. Satisfactory detection and quantifications limits (1 and 4 µg g^-1) as w

SUBMITTER: Lauschke T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12283768 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature