Degradation mechanism of diethylene glycol units in a terephthalate polymer

Lecomte, Hélène A. and Liggat, John J. (2006) Degradation mechanism of diethylene glycol units in a terephthalate polymer. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 91 (4). pp. 681-689. ISSN 0141-3910

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Abstract

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is incorporated into poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) during industrial synthesis in order to control crystallisation kinetics. DEG is known to be a weak point in the thermal degradation of PET, which is problematic during the recycling of the polymer. Studies on the thermal decomposition of the model polymer poly(diethylene glycol terephthalate) (PDEGT) have been performed using TG, DSC, TVA and spectroscopic techniques. They revealed a degradation behaviour with two distinct steps, where the first step initiates some 100 K below the degradation temperature of PET. The second step is similar to the behaviour of PET. Based on our observations, a new degradation mechanism specific to DEG units is proposed, where random ether groups along the backbone can back-bite and form cyclic oligomers. These cyclic species, containing ether moieties, are evolved at 245 °C and constitute the first of the two steps of degradation observed for PDEGT.

Creators(s): Lecomte, Hélène A. and Liggat, John J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4460-5178;
Item type:Article
ID code:399
Keywords:poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(diethylene glycol terephthalate), thermal analysis, thermal degradation, Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Polymers and Plastics, Mechanics of Materials, Condensed Matter Physics
Subjects:Science > Chemistry
Department:Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
Depositing user: Mr Derek Boyle
Date deposited:10 Mar 2006
Last modified:01 Jan 2021 08:18
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URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/399
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