The Mechanism of the Formation of Chemically-Heterogeneous Polyethylene Terephthalate during its Industrial Manufacture from Dimethyl Terephthalate and Ethylene Glycol

Resumo

The mechanism for the formation of chemically-heterogeneous polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) under industrial manufacturing conditions from dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol was discussed in light of the results of a study of this polymer and the derived polymer gel. The chemical heterogeneity of PETP is attributed to side-reactions leading to the formation of relatively small bent macromolecules with short side-chains branchings.