Biosourced Aromatic Derivatives in the Upcycling of Recycled PET: Mellophanic Dianhydride as a Chain Extender
Ada M. Truscello, S. L. COLLETTI, Cristian Gambarotti, Marco Aldo Ortenzi, Stefano Gazzotti, Maurizio Galimberti
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The synthesis of mellophanic dianhydride (MEDA) from biosourced 1,2,3,4-benzene tetracarboxylic derivatives and its use as a chain extender for mechanically recycled PET (R-PET) as an alternative to traditional oil-based pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) is reported. The rheological tests performed on the R-PET extruded with MEDA have shown similar results to those obtained with PMDA, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that, in the 90–110 °C range (i.e., the temperature range commonly used for blow molding of bottles), Young’s modulus of R-PET containing MEDA is about 20% higher in comparison to that of pristine R-PET. The advantage of MEDA is that it can be prepared using building blocks obtained from agricultural waste via a sustainable protocol, whereas PMDA is a product of oil-based chemistry.