Using ethylene glycol (EG) and post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles, monomers and oligomers were obtained through glycolysis catalyzed by zinc acetate. Three reaction temperatures (150, 160 and 170 ∘ C) and water contents (0, 1.0 and 2.0% with respect to the volume of EG) were used as inputs; the extent of depolymerization as the analyzed response formed the basis for a factorial design experiment. The products obtained from PET glycolysis were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed the presence of terephthalic acid, hydroxylated tetramers, bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate monomer and dimer, and also oligomers with various molecular weights, water being present in the reaction medium. Statistical analysis (95% confidence) indicated that temperature and water content were significant inputs for glycolysis of PET, with the temperature being much the more important factor.
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