Alkaline Solvolysis of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) in Butan–1–ol Media: Kinetics and Optimization Studies

This study was carried out to examine the thermo-chemical decomposition of postconsumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in alkaline solution of butan-1-ol. The effect of various process parameters such as reactor temperature, time and sodium hydroxide concentration on the degree of PET degradation and products yield were studied and it was found that the decomposition of PET was essentially complete in an hour, with terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol being the main products. A kinetic study of the process showed that the alkaline solvolysis of PET is a second order reaction.