Preparation and characterisation of water soluble polyester coatings based on waste materials

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to prepare cheap and environmentally friendly water soluble polyester coatings through the glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste. Design/methodology/approach A secondary value-added polyester coatings were prepared from PET waste. The first step was the de-polymerisation of PET waste by 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol with different molar ratios in the presence of different concentrations of zinc acetate as trans-esterification catalyst. The de-polymerised product was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HNMR), differential scanning calorimetry and hydroxyl values. The polyesters were successfully synthesised by esterification of the glycolysed product with adipic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol and trimellitic anhydride in different ratios. FTIR and 1HNMR were used qualitatively and quantitatively to elucidate the structure of the prepared polyesters. Hydroxyl value and the physical properties of the prepared polyesters were also investigated. Two different curing agents were used to prepare the coatings based on the prepared polyesters. Findings Useful coating products were obtained by chemical (glycolysis) of post consumed PET wastes. The 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol was found to be good glycol in the glycolysis of PET. It was noticed that the rate of glycolysis increases with increasing the amount of catalyst, time of glycolysis and amount of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol. N,N-Dimethylethanol amine was a good neutralising agent used for the preparation of water soluble coatings based on glycolysed product of PET. Practical implications The use of waste products like PET waste in water soluble coating systems will bring down the costs of the coatings and will also open a new market of recycled plastic materials and, hence, may provide a potential solution to the problems of solid waste management. It is an attractive option for environmentally friendly and efficient disposal of plastic waste. Originality/value The paper provides a potential way to use undesirable PET waste as industrial raw material. The coatings prepared are eco-friendly, soluble in water that can replace other expensive polyester coatings that are soluble in organic solvents and not environmentally coatings.