Determinación de la influencia del tipo de catalizador en el rendimiento de reacción de glucólisis de poli tereftalato de etileno (PET) post-consumo

Abstract

The objective of this research was to carry out the chemical degradation of Post-consumer Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET), via catalyzed glycolysis, determining the influence of the type of catalyst on the reaction performance, to obtain Bis (2- hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate (BHET). The substances used as catalysts for the reaction were Zinc Acetate, Sodium Carbonate and Zinc Oxide in quantities of 0.04g and 0.05g; in 4 g of PET. The catalyzed glycolysis of PET was carried out at the laboratory level in an adapted system with a two-mouth balloon and the use of ethylene glycol (EG) as a solvent under atmospheric pressure conditions and also taking into account certain parameters such as the reaction temperature that oscillates 180-190 degrees Celsius range, 2-hour reaction time, 1: 3 PET / EG ratio. An off-white powder corresponding to the monomer BHET was obtained as the final product. For the characterization of the raw material and glycolyzed product, FTIR Infrared Spectroscopy techniques were used, in order to identify the functional groups that confirm their presence. The average yield results were 85.16%, 82.06% and 80.69% in glycolyzed product for each of the substances respectively. The analysis of results showed that, using zinc acetate as a catalyst for PET glycolysis, it presented higher yield results, corresponding to 85.16%, because it has the most active metal Zn2 + and related to activation. of the carbonyl groups of PET, thus determining that it is the catalyst with which it was possible to control the process more easily to achieve optimal effects. It is recommended to use the glycolysis technique as an economically viable alternative for future research regarding the recycling of PET plastic waste.