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Author Spotlight: Enhancing Fiber Composite Laminate Quality with the Wet Hand Lay-Up/Vacuum Bag Process

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Efficient Depolymerization of Glass Fiber Reinforced PET Composites.

Jose Jonathan Rubio Arias¹, Wim Thielemans¹

¹Sustainable Materials Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Etienne Sabbelaan 53, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.

|December 11, 2022

Summary

Chemical recycling of glass fiber reinforced PET composites is now feasible. A microwave-heated potassium hydroxide in methanol system efficiently depolymerizes these materials, enabling a circular economy for composite waste.

Keywords:

PET chemical depolymerization glass fiber reinforced PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Chemical Engineering
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Achieving a circular economy necessitates eco-friendly systems for post-consumer waste, with chemical recycling of polymers being a key strategy.
Previous research demonstrated the efficacy of a microwave-heated potassium hydroxide in methanol (KMH) system for depolymerizing PET bottles and polycarbonate.
Glass fiber reinforced (GFR) PET composites are prevalent in daily life but pose challenges for current recycling methods.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the depolymerization of GFR PET composites using the established KMH system.
To determine the optimal conditions for efficient and complete depolymerization of GFR PET.
To assess the feasibility of recycling composite materials within a circular economy framework.

Main Methods:

Depolymerization of GFR PET composites was performed using a microwave-heated potassium hydroxide in methanol (KMH) system.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) were employed to analyze material changes.
Optimization of reaction time, temperature, and KMH solution volume was conducted.

Main Results:

Stricter depolymerization conditions were required for GFR PET compared to pure PET due to PET chain reorganization and adhesion to glass fibers.
An activation energy of 123 kJ/mol was determined, consistent with pristine PET.
Optimized conditions (120 °C, 5 min, 30 mL KMH/g composite) achieved 100% depolymerization of GFR PET.

Conclusions:

The KMH system is effective for the chemical recycling of GFR PET composites, representing a significant advancement.
Optimized depolymerization conditions offer an efficient method for recovering monomers from composite waste.
This work contributes to a comprehensive recycling system that includes complex composite materials, promoting a circular economy.