Thin films of PET degrade over 4-8 days when exposed to water at 90°C through a neutral hydrolytic process. This process results in the formation of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid groups at the ends of the polymer chains, in accordance with the proposed reaction mechanism. Autocatalysis occurs as the degradation produces more hydrophilic groups, and spectroscopic evidence shows morphological changes like increased crystallinity.

1. Neutral Hydrolysis of PET

8. Thin films (∼100 nm) of PET degrade (in water at 90°C) over a period of 4–8 days by a hydrolytic process which results in
the formation of terminal ethylene glycol groups and terminal terephthalic acid groups (in accordance with Fig. 1).
Autocatalysis is confirmed, presumably via the production of more accessible hydrophilic groups during the degradation
process. There is also distinct spectroscopic evidence of morphological changes (i.e. an increase of crystallinity). B

9. Alkaline hydiolysis of PET