Treasure from trash: Synthesis of a soil release agent for polyester by base catalyzed transesterification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with poly(ethylene glycol)

CHED 698

Gray Bowman, gbowman@highpoint.edu and Kenzo G. Tochiki, tochiki01@highpoint.edu. Department of Chemistry, High Point University, 833 Montlieu Avenue, High Point, NC 27262
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PETE) was transesterified with Poly(ethlene glycol) (PEG). PETE samples were obtained from polymer waste in the form of empty soda bottles. PEG was commercially available Carbowax 200, 400, or 900. Esterifications were carried out in sealed tubes at temperatures near 260 oC, the melting point of PETE with sodium acetate as base catalyst. The resulting water dispersible, viscous polymers were applied to samples of woven polyester greige goods by exhaustion from a hot water bath. The treated samples were stained with burnt motor oil and laundered to test for soil release and durability of treatment. Results of the synthesis of the agent and testing of the treated fabric are presented. A hypothesis was developed to explain the difference among the various sample of soil release agent synthesized.