Abstract
The hydrolytic depolymerization reaction of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste in neutral water was carried out in an autoclave at 225, 240, 255, and 270°C under autogenous pressure. Particle size, agitator speed, charge ratio, and reaction time required for PET hydrolysis were optimized. Products of the reaction were terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) that were analyzed and confirmed. Yields of TPA and EG were almost equal to PET conversion. Analysis of PET waste sample was also studied. Two different kinetic models for PET hydrolysis were fitted with our own experimental data. Moreover, a noncatalytic PET hydrolysis was studied to understand the effect of autocatalyzed action during reaction. Thermodynamics was undertaken to calculate the Gibbs free energy, and enthalpy and entropy of reaction. Furthermore, the effect of temperature on the rate constant was examined by Arrhenius plot to evaluate the activation energy, and Arrhenius constant for PET hydrolysis.
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