Statistical Process Optimization of poly(bis(2-hydroxyl ethyl) terephthalate-Maleic Anhydride)from PET

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a versatile polymer widely used in manufacturing various kinds of materials [1]. Chemical recycling processes for PET due to a large annualconsumption were implemented nearly parallel to the manufacture of PET. The chemical glycolysis method makesit possible to employ very low amounts of reactants as well as apply lower temperatures and pressures in contrast with othermethods. Glycolysis of waste PET can lead to the productionof monomer widely used in the synthesis of a number of polymeric materials, ranging from unsaturated polyester resin(UPR) [2], rigid or flexible polyurethane [3] and polymer nanocomposites [4]. In the present study, a series ofexperiments on the yield of PET monomer (four factors including reaction time, EG/PET molar ratio of, PET particle size, and amount of catalyst) is conducted according to Taguchi s statistical method.