Application of a Rare Earth Catalyst in Polyethylene Glycol Terephthalate and Low-Melting Polyethylene Glycol Terephthalate

Abstract

In this study, the hydrothermal method was used to synthesize the rare earth catalyst ethylene glycol cerium (EG-Ce), and its catalytical performance on polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) and low-melting polyethylene glycol terephthalate (LmPET) were investigated. Using the rare earth catalyst EG-Ce, cerium-catalytic polyester (PET-Ce), and cerium-catalytic low-melting point polyester (LmPET-Ce) were effectively synthesized. The differences in melting point, inherent viscosity, thermal stability, and other parameters of the PET produced by the EG-Ce and traditional ethylene glycol antimony (EG-Sb) were compared. The outcomes demonstrate that the rare earth catalyst EG-Ce had superior catalytic activity than EG‑Sb in the polymerization process. The LmPET produced by EG-Ce also exhibited excellent mechanical properties and adhesive quality than the items which produced by EG-Sb. The rare earth-based catalyst reduced the safety risk than heavy metal antimony, indicating that is a good candidate as a catalyst in polyester and low-melting polyester synthesis.