Superparamagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles as an easily recoverable catalyst for the chemical recycling of PETElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: ANOVA for BHET yield, 13C and 1H NMR spectra of the BHET obtained from the glycolysis reaction. See DOI: 10.1039/c3gc41834k

• Main Authors: Bartolome, Leian, Imran, Muhammad, Lee, Kyoung G, Sangalang, Arvin, Ahn, Jeong Keun, Kim, Do Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 17.12.2013
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/c3gc41834k

There have been numerous studies to develop catalysts for the chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) via glycolysis. However, in the field of PET glycolysis, only a few have attempted to recover and reuse the catalysts. This research utilized easily recoverable superparamagnetic γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles as a reusable catalyst for PET glycolysis. γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were produced by calcining Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles prepared by the co-precipitation method. The produced γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles had an average size of 10.5 ± 1.4 nm, and a very high surface area reaching 147 m 2 g −1 . Its superparamagnetic property was also confirmed. Glycolysis reactions were carried out, and the γ-Fe 2 O 3 catalysts were recovered after the reactions by simple magnetic decantation. The use of magnetic iron oxide allowed the easy recovery of the catalyst from the glycolysis products. At 300 °C and a 0.05 catalyst/PET weight ratio, the maximum bis(2-hydroxyethlyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer yield reached more than 90% in 60 min. At 255 °C and a 0.10 catalyst/PET weight ratio, the BHET yield reached more than 80% in 80 min. The catalyst was reused 10 times, giving almost the same BHET yield each time. Superparamagnetic γ-Fe 2 O 3 is applied as an efficient, easily recoverable, and reusable catalyst for the chemical recycling of PET via glycolysis.