Kinetics and mechanism of hydrolysis of poly (ethylene terephthalate) in aqueus potassium hydroxide solutions

Chemical Method of Fibrous Materials Surface Activation on the Basis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

“…Considering the available literature data on the mechanism and kinetics of alkaline hydrolysis of PET fiber materials [1][2][3], we assume that if NaOH concentration is more than 0.1 mol/l, the hydrolysis is enough intensive for the formation of appreciable amounts of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the fiber surface. In contrast, when NaOH concentration is above 0.5 mol/l the so-called "etching" of the fibrous material surface appeared.…”

“…Fibers based on PET virtually have not such groups (there is only a very small number of terminal hydroxyls and carboxyls). However, it is known that PET in the presence of alkali metal hydroxides, which act as catalysts for ester hydrolysis reactions and the reaction of alkaline hydrolysis, initially occurs in the outer area of the fiber [1][2][3]. As a result, on the surface of the PET material the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups are formed (Fig.…”