The accumulation of plastics such as poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in landfills and oceans poses a significant environmental threat. Chain extenders can help to divert post-consumer PET from landfills to manufacturing. However, the current chain extenders are glycidol-based with toxicity concerns. This thesis work aims to develop non-toxic, glycidol-free chain extenders for post-consumer mixed bottle-grade PET (PET-B) and thermoform PET (PET-T). In one project, a new chain extender, mono epoxy styrene (MES), is used to enhance the rPET characteristics such as rheological, mechanical, and thermal. The incorporation of chain extenders in varying proportions showed significant improvement in intrinsic viscosity, along with an improvement in impact properties. In another project, glycidol- and styrene-free epoxy acrylate chain extenders with terminal (PEAT-BA) and internal (PEAI-BA) epoxy groups were tested in PET-B/PET-T blends, and improvements in the mechanical, rheological, and thermal properties better than the commercial chain extender Joncryl ADR (J) were observed. This research will promote the utilization of recycled PET, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, decreasing landfilling, and protecting the environment from microplastic pollution.
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