A Step Forward Chemical Recycling of PET Waste - Catalyzed Glycolysis via Nanosized Magnetic Catalysts
(PET-Rec)
PET is widely utilized in the packaging industry due to its advantageous properties such as transparency, food safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, the significant increase in PET production has led to adverse environmental impacts, including pollution and resource depletion, with projections indicating further escalation.
The aim of PET-Rec project was to develop highly stable catalysts with enhanced efficiency in terms of catalytic activity and selectivity for PET glycolysis. The main activities were:
-
PET wastes were completely characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mechanical testing, and molecular weight determination by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
-
A series of manganese and cobalt spinel ferrites doped with lantanides were synthesized and characterized by XRD, FTIR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), N2 adsorption-desorption measurements.
-
The catalysts were evaluated in order to select the most active, selective and stable materials.
-
The optimal conditions for PET glycolysis were established by varying PET:Ethylene Glycol ratio; Catalyst:PET ratio, and reaction time.
Thus, in the frame of PET-Rec project, magnetic nanosized spinel ferrites were developed as highly efficient catalysts in the depolimerization of PET wastes from various beverages. The complete depolimerization of this polymer was achieved in only 45 minutes of reaction at 196 °C. Due to magnetic properties, the catalysts were easily extracted from the reaction environment and successfully reused for several catalytic cycles without any regeneration procedure.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
The most important achievement of PET-Rec project is the patent application submitted to the Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks entitled: Catalysts and methods for the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate waste through glycolysis processes (A 00014 2024).
