Mechanochemical methanolysis of polyethylene terephthalate using calcium oxide as solid base catalyst: a case study

Abstract

Dimethyl terephthalate was obtained in a high yield of 83% from polyethylene terephthalate by planetary ball milling with CaO at ambient temperature as a case study. Although the findings cannot be generalized for a broader set of conditions, the optimal reaction parameters, including the catalyst amount, were found to differ significantly from those for a typical heat-driven reaction.