Post consumer PET waste as potential feedstock for metal organic frameworks

The purity requirement of terephthalic acid (TPA) for synthesis of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) is very stringent. In this paper, we propose a simple and economically viable microwave-assisted process to convert poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste into high purity TPA which in turn has been used for the synthesis of two archetypal MOFs. The efficiency of this process was compared with conventional heating route, and characteristic parameters like conversion and TPA purity were quantified. The time required for alkalolytic depolymerization could be significantly reduced (similar to 5 min) by using microwave as an energy source, as compared to the conventional thermal process, which requires a minimum of 3 h to reach the same level. The reaction of the purified TPA with zinc acetate and copper nitrate led to formation of MOF 5 and copper-terephthalate respectively, which were characterized by PXRD, FTIR, TGA and SEM analysis. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.