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Kevlar-like Aramid Polymers from Mixed PET Waste.

Lelia Cosimbescu¹, Deepika Malhotra¹, Madhusudhan R Pallaka¹

¹Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd., Richland, Washington 99354, USA.

|September 19, 2022

Summary

This study developed novel aramid polymers from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using improved synthesis methods. The resulting polymers exhibit high thermal stability, making them promising for advanced material applications.

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Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

Recycling waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into valuable materials is crucial for sustainability.
Aramid polymers are known for their high performance but traditional synthesis can be resource-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore sustainable and scalable synthetic routes for aramid polymers from waste PET.
To characterize the properties of novel aramid polymers derived from PET.

Main Methods:

Investigated direct depolymerization and polycondensation methods using terephthalic acid (TPA) derived from PET.
Employed the acid chloride route for highest molecular weight polymer synthesis.
Utilized size exclusion chromatography, spectroscopy (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for characterization.

Main Results:

Direct depolymerization yielded decomposition; polycondensation resulted in low molecular weight aramids.
The acid chloride method produced novel soluble aramids with molecular weights of 10-35 kDa (Mw) and 28-81 kDa (Mz).
Polymers exhibited high degradation temperatures (>400 °C) and high char yields, with no detectable glass transition.

Conclusions:

Novel aramid polymers can be synthesized from waste PET, offering a sustainable alternative.
Optimized reaction conditions, including pyridine addition and absence of CaCl2, are key for improved synthesis.
The high thermal stability and potential for gel formation suggest suitability for fiber applications.