Film reaction kinetics for melt postpolycondensation of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Melt polycondensation has recently been reported to prepare high-viscosity poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), the reaction efficiency is greatly improved in over 10-folds compared with conventional solid state polycondensation (SSP). Melt postpolycondensation of common PET chips was conducted in specified film thickness to obtain industrial PET. Based on the investigation of reaction conditions, film reaction kinetics were determined in the principle of end groups analysis. It was positively regulated that the intrinsic viscosity of PET could be achieved in condition of high vacuum, thin melt film and proper temperature, degradation reaction would be increased at exorbitant temperature. An apparent reaction kinetic model was proposed and was verified by experiments. Results indicated the activation energy of melt postpolycondensation of PET was 88.22 kJ/mol and the reaction rate constant was significant higher than that of solid state polycondensation.