Abstract
The aim of the current study was to obtain materials presenting a large scale of applications (polyurethane adhesives and foams) through a one-pot synthesis starting from post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles. The PET depolymerization was carried out using diethylene glycol (DEG) and catalyst (zinc acetate) in a microwave reactor. Using the obtained depolymerization mixture, different polyurethane adhesives or foams formulations were developed. The adhesives mechanical properties were tested affording samples with tensile shear resistance suitable for commercialization. The polyurethane foams testing confirmed the obtaining of rigid structure with good thermal insulation properties. Keywords: PET, microwaves, adhesives, polyurethane foams, one-pot synthesis