Abstract
A method of recycling postconsumer poly(ethylene terephthalate (PET) using transesterification was studied. Shredded flakes of postconsumer PET waste were transesterified with higher diols, such as 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol, and 1,6-hexanediol, to yield copolyesters in the presence of Ti(iPrO)4 and Sb2O3 as catalysts. The extent of the formation of undesirable tetrahydrofuran side products was dependent on the molar ratio of PET to1,4-butanediol and the time of reflux during transesterification. Quantitative insertion of the butylene moiety into PET could be achieved under appropriate reaction conditions. The mechanical properties of PBT obtained by a transesterification reaction of PET with 1,4-butanediol were comparable to those of virgin PBT (obtained by direct reaction of dimethyl terephathalate with 1,4-butanediol). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3720–3729, 2004
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