Solubilization of PET in binary mixtures of HFIP and DCM

Abstract

The dissolution of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a critical step for a solvent-based process, yet it typically requires highly corrosive or toxic solvents. Here, we investigate the solubilization and conformational behavior of PET in binary mixtures of hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) and dichloromethane (DCM) as a strategy to reduce HFIP usage while maintaining effective dissolution. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements reveal that PET remains molecularly dissolved in HFIP/DCM mixtures up to 50 vol% DCM. Analysis of PET chain conformations shows a transition from Gaussian behavior at low HFIP fractions to more swollen chains at intermediate compositions, accompanied by a counter-intuitive minimum in the radius of gyration at 50% HFIP. Complementary SANS measurements of the binary solvents demonstrate that compositional heterogeneity is maximized at this same solvent composition, suggesting a direct coupling between solvent microstructure and polymer dimensions. Molecular dynamics simulations corroborate the experimental findings, revealing solvent domain formation, preferential solvation of PET by HFIP, and a “caging” effect arising from solvent heterogeneity that leads to polymer coil compaction. Together, these results provide molecular-level insight into polymer behavior in mixed solvent systems and establish HFIP/DCM mixtures as a promising, more sustainable solvent platform for the PET post-process.