POLYMERIZATION CATALYST FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POLYESTER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING POLYESTER USING THE SAME

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20220169784
  • Publication Number
    20220169784
  • Date Filed
    April 02, 2020
    4 years ago
  • Date Published
    June 02, 2022
    2 years ago
Abstract
Disclosed are a polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester, which includes an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound, and a method of producing polyester using the same. The polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester is safe without toxicity, has equal or higher catalytic activity compared to an antimony-based catalyst, may increase the polymerization reaction rate, may ensure a high viscosity level even when used in small amounts, may reduce the production of acetaldehyde, and may also improve the thermal stability and color of the polymer compared to those of a polyester polymer obtained by the related art.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester and a method of producing polyester using the same, and more particularly to a novel polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester, which is an environmentally friendly catalyst capable of replacing catalysts, such as antimony, that cause environmental problems, and which is capable of performing polymerization even when used in small amounts in the production of polyester, and a method of producing polyester using the same.


BACKGROUND ART

Polyester resins have excellent mechanical and chemical properties, and have been widely used in various applications, including beverage containers, medical supplies, packaging materials, sheets, films, tire cords, and automobile molded products.


In the production of such polyester resins, catalysts are used to improve the quality or production efficiency of the resins. Polymerization catalysts for the production of polyester resins are materials that determine the quality and production efficiency of the resins, and correspond to the field of polyester resin production technology in which fierce competition for development is in progress. Currently, in terms of price and efficiency, the most commercially successful one of the polymerization catalysts for the production of polyester is an antimony-based catalyst.


However, in the case of products produced using the antimony-based catalyst, a large amount of antimony has to be used in a polymerization process, and the metal antimony itself is toxic. Hence, the products release antimony when they are used for a long period of time, and the released antimony impairs fetal growth, causes diseases such as carcinogenesis, and also causes environmental problems when it enters a living body, (Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 2006, 385, 821). According to recent research results, it is known that a large amount of antimony, which causes toxicity in vivo, is also detected in drinking water bottles and food packaging materials produced using the antimony-based catalyst (Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41, 1560). In addition, when the antimony-based catalyst is used in an amount that causes the polymerization to proceed at a practical level, the metal antimony precipitates and causes problems in that the reduction product of the catalyst occurs in an amount of about 10 to 15% based on the amount of catalyst used or gray discoloration occurs which lowers the L value of the product. In addition, it causes process problems such as spinneret contamination, increased filtration pressure, and yarn breakage. Accordingly, developed countries have gradually restricted or banned the use of the antimony-based catalyst, and have rushed to develop environmentally friendly polymerization catalysts for the production of polyester, which can replace metals that cause toxicity, such as antimony.


Accordingly, methods have been proposed which use, as polymerization catalysts for the production of polyester, titanium metal compounds and germanium compounds which can replace highly toxic antimony-based catalysts, have low in vivo toxicity, and are known as environmentally friendly materials. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0184916 discloses the production of polyester using titanium, which is a representative environmentally friendly metal. However, the titanium catalyst has problems in that the degree of yellowing of the polyester resin is high, so that the color tone of the resin is not excellent, the thermal stability of the resin is not excellent, and the resin has a high oligomer content. Due to these disadvantages, the titanium catalyst has a limitation in that it is difficult to commercially apply to polyester production, despite the relatively excellent activity of the metal titanium itself.


Meanwhile, U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,659 discloses the production of polyester using a mixture of germanium, aluminum and zirconium, which are environmentally friendly metals. However, although the germanium compound catalyst itself has high activity, the germanium catalyst has a problem in that when the amount of germanium catalyst used for polymerization is large, the germanium catalyst is difficult to apply commercially due to the high cost thereof.


DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem

The present invention has been conceived to overcome the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester, which is an environmentally friendly catalyst capable of replacing heavy metal catalysts, such as antimony, that are harmful to the human body and the environment, and which is capable of exhibiting sufficient polymerization activity due to its high catalytic activity, thereby ensuring a high viscosity level even when used in small amounts.


Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing polyester using the catalyst of the present invention.


Still another object of the present invention is to provide polyester which can be put to practical use without substantially using an antimony-based compound as a polycondensation catalyst, contains little foreign matter, and has excellent heat resistance and color (color L).


Technical Solution

One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described objects is directed to a polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester, the polymerization catalyst including an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound.


Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of producing polyester by the polycondensation of a polymerization starting material including an esterification product of a dicarboxylic acid component and a glycol component, wherein the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester, the polymerization catalyst including an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound, is used as a catalyst for the polycondensation.


Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to a polyester produced using the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention.


Advantageous Effects

As described above, according to the present invention, since the catalyst including no heavy metal harmful to the human body and the environment is used, it may be possible to produce a polyester resin containing no component that causes environmental pollution and is harmful to the human body.


Since the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention includes the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound, it is environmentally friendly, and has high catalytic activity, so that the amount thereof added may be reduced to about ⅕ or less compared to that of a conventional antimony catalyst. In addition, it may reduce the thermal decomposition of the polystyrene by 50% or more.


When the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention is applied, the produced polyester may have improved heat resistance, so that the content of acetaldehyde resulting from decomposition of the polyester may be lowered. Also, the polycondensation reaction may be performed at a low polymerization temperature, and thus the content of cyclic oligomers may be reduced.


A product obtained using the novel polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention may be processed even by the same extrusion process used for a product obtained using an antimony catalyst, contains little foreign matter of the catalyst, and exhibits improved physical properties.


In addition, a polyester polymer obtained by polycondensation in the presence of the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention may have a dramatically improved thermal stability and color (color L), and may also have improved processability.







BEST MODE

A polymerization catalyst composition for the production of polyester and a polyester production method according to the present invention will be described in more detail below.


In the following description, a detailed description of a related known function or configuration incorporated herein will be omitted when it may obscure the gist of the present invention. Throughout the present specification, it is to be understood that when a part is described as “including” a component, this does not exclude one or more other components, but may further include one or more other components, unless otherwise specified.


Polymerization Catalyst for the Production of Polyester


The polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention includes an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound. The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound, which is a divalent inorganic tin compound having no Sn—C bond, is preferably of a metal salt type. Such inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.


Organic compounds are excluded in the present invention because they are materials subject to strong environmental regulations, compared to the inorganic tin compounds that are used in the present invention. In addition, among the inorganic tin compounds, an inorganic stannic compound is highly stable, but has a limitation in that the catalytic activity thereof is low.


The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound that is used in the present invention has remarkable advantages over antimony (Sb) catalysts and inorganic stannic compound catalysts, which are used in the related art, in that it has a low standard reduction potential energy (RPE), and thus is not easily reduced during a polymerization process for the production of polyester and an extrusion (spinning and film formation) process. The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst that is used in the present invention does not have the problem in which it is easily reduced during the polymerization reaction, so that the activity thereof is lowered or catalyst residue is generated in the polymerization reactor due to the reduction product thereof.


In addition, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst generates little foreign matter on spinning packs and nozzles during an extrusion (spinning and film formation) process, resulting in improvement in processability.
















Sb (antimony)
Sn (tin)














Before
After
RPE (V)
Before
After
RPE (V)


















5+
3+
0.746
4−
2+
0.150



3+
0
0.152
2−
0
−0.136






4−
0
0.010










It means that the reducibility increases as the reduction potential energy increases and the reducibility decreases as the reduction potential energy decreases. Antimony (Sb), which has been mainly used in a polymerization process for the production of polyester in the related art, has a reducing power because it has a positive reduction potential energy at an oxidation state of or 5. In contrast, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound that is used in the present invention has a reduction potential energy of less than 0 V at an oxidation state of 2, so that it is not spontaneously reduced and maintains its catalytic activity and makes it possible to decrease the generation of a reduction product (catalyst residue) during a polymerization process for the production of polyester and an extrusion process.


The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound may be divalent tin oxide, a carboxylic acid salt of divalent tin, or an alkoxide of divalent tin. Non-limiting examples of the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound include stannous oxide, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous phosphate, stannous tartrate, stannous acetate, stannous oxalate, stannous stearate, stannous oleate, stannous gluconate, stannous citrate, stannous (tin (II)) 2-ethylhexanoate, stannous ethoxide, stannous acetylacetonate, and stannous glycolate. In particular, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is preferably stannous oxalate, stannous acetate, or stannous glycolate.


The polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention may be added in any step during a polymerization process for the production of polyester. For example, it may be added only in the preparation of a slurry (EG/TPA mixture) before an esterification reaction step, or added only in the esterification reaction step, or added only in the step of polycondensing an esterification reaction product, or added in all the preparation of the slurry before the esterification reaction step, the esterification reaction step and the polycondensation step. However, in the case where polyester is produced by polycondensation of a reaction product obtained by esterification between a dicarboxylic acid component and a glycol component, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is preferably added in the step of polycondensing the esterification reaction product.


The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst of the present invention may be used in a polymerization process for the production of homopolyester or copolyester. In particular, when it is used in the polymerization process for the production of homopolyester, homopolyester having a high melting point and a very high molecular weight may be produced.


The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst may be added by adding the catalyst itself as powder to the polyester production process, by adding the catalyst as a solution, or by adding the catalyst prepared in ethylene glycol. However, when the catalyst is added as a solution in ethylene glycol, it may be added to stannous glycolate obtained by reacting the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound with ethylene glycol.


An antimony-based catalyst, which is commonly used as a polymerization polymer for the production of polyester, has low catalytic activity, and hence is used in an amount of 50 ppm to 500 ppm (as Sb) based on polyester. In contrast, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound, which is newly applied in the present invention, is capable of sufficiently ensuring the same polycondensation reactivity even when used in a small amount of 10 ppm to 200 ppm (as Sn), preferably 10 ppm to 100 ppm (as Sn). Due to this low content of the catalyst, the content of foreign matter of the catalyst in the produced polyester may be reduced, and the generation of foreign matter by the reduction product of the catalyst in an extrusion process (spinning and film formation) may be reduced, so that foreign matter on dies may be reduced. In addition, if a catalyst is used at a high concentration, a phenomenon may occur in which polyester resin becomes greyish. However, in the present invention, it is possible to obtain a remarkable effect of improving the color (color L) of the polyester polymer and the product due to the low content of the catalyst.


Furthermore, when the catalyst of the present invention is applied, the heat resistance of the produced polyester may be improved, so that the content of acetaldehyde resulting from decomposition of the polyester may be lowered. Also, the polycondensation reaction may be performed at a low polymerization temperature, and thus the content of cyclic oligomers may be reduced.


Unlike the antimony-based catalyst, the catalyst of the present invention is unlikely to cause problems to the human health and the environment because the toxicity of the metal itself is relatively low. In addition, even when the catalyst of the present is used in small amounts, it exhibits high activity within a short reaction time. Furthermore, the polyester produced using the catalyst of the present invention has excellent physical properties such as viscosity and color. Accordingly, the catalyst of the present invention may be commercially useful for the mass production of polyester, particularly the production of polyethylene terephthalate.


Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a composition for the production of polyester containing, as a polymerization catalyst, the above-described inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound including a tin metal that has a valence of +2 and a standard reduction potential energy of 0 V or less. Preferably, the composition for the production of polyester according to the present invention is a composition for the production of homopolyester. The composition for the production of polyester according to the present invention may be advantageously used for the production of homopolyester having a high melting point, a very high molecular weight and a low melt flow index.


The composition may contain the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound in an amount of 10 ppm to 200 ppm.


The composition for the production of polyester according to the present invention may, if necessary, further contain an antioxidant, a UV blocking agent, an antistatic agent, a flame retardant, a surfactant, etc.


A method of preparing the composition for the production of polyester according to the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be performed according to a method that is commonly used in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. For example, it may be performed batch-wise or continuously, but is not particularly limited thereto.


Polyester Production Method


Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to a polyester production method. The polyester production method includes the step of polymerizing a dicarboxylic acid component with a glycol component in the presence of a catalyst composition including the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound. As used herein, the term “polymerization” refers to both homopolymerization and copolymerization, and the term “copolymerization” includes terpolymerization or copolymerization of three or more different monomers.


The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound of the present invention may be used for the production of homopolyester or copolyester. In particular, when it is used for the production of homopolyester, it may produce homopolyester having a high melting point and a very high molecular weight. In addition, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound of the present invention has a very high catalytic activity and exhibits a high excellent productivity.


According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of polymerizing the dicarboxylic acid component with the glycol component may include the steps of: subjecting the dicarboxylic acid component and the glycol component to an esterification reaction; and polycondensing the product of the esterification reaction. In the esterification reaction step, an oligomer may be obtained by a transesterification reaction. Next, organic polymer particles and various additives may be added, and then the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound as a polycondensation catalyst may be added, followed by a polycondensation reaction, thereby obtaining a high-molecular-weight polyester.


More specifically, the dicarboxylic acid component and the glycol component are first subjected to an esterification reaction. According to one embodiment of the present invention, examples of the dicarboxylic acid component include, but are not necessarily limited to, terephthalic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, azelaic acid, fumaric acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, isophthalic acid, dodecane dicarboxylic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, biphenyl dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, 1,2-norbornane dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclobutane dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 5-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, 5-potassium sulfoisophthalic acid, 5-lithium sulfoisophthalic acid, and 2-sodium sulfoterephthalic acid. In addition to the dicarboxylic acids described above, other dicarboxylic acids not exemplified above may also be used within a range that does not impair the object of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, terephthalic acid may preferably be used as the dicarboxylic acid component.


According to one embodiment of the present invention, examples of the glycol component include, but are not necessarily limited to, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-butylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-cyclohexane diol, 1,3-cyclohexane diol, 1,4-cyclohexane diol, propane diol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, tetramethylcyclobutane diol, 1,4-cyclohexane diethanol, 1,10-decamethylene glycol, 1,12-dodecane diol, polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycol, polyoxytetramethylene glycol, and glycerol. In addition, other glycols may also be used within a range that does not impair the object of the present invention. Preferably, ethylene glycol may be used as the glycol component.


According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of subjecting the dicarboxylic acid component and the glycol component to the esterification reaction may be performed at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 300° C., preferably about 230° C. to about 280° C., for about 1 hour to about 6 hours, preferably about 2 hours to about 5 hours.


Then the product of the esterification reaction is polycondensed. The step of polycondensing the product of the esterification reaction may be performed at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 300° C., preferably about 260° C. about 290° C., under a reduced pressure of about 0.1 Torr to about 1 Torr, for about 1 hour to about 3 hours, preferably about 1 hour and 30 minutes to about 2 hours and 30 minutes.


The inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst of the present invention may be added during slurry preparation before the esterification reaction, during the esterification reaction, or before the polycondensation step after the esterification reaction. However, when the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst of the present invention is added during the esterification reaction, the effect of improving the esterification reaction is obtained, but the effect of shortening the polycondensation time is low, and a problem may arise in that the content of the by-product diethylene glycol (DEG) increases somewhat. For this reason, in the present invention, it is preferred to add the catalyst in the step of polycondensing the product after the esterification reaction. By doing so, the productivity may be improved by significantly shortening the polycondensation time compared to the case where a conventional catalyst is used.


In the polyester production method according to the present invention, the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst may be used in an amount of about 200 ppm or less (as tin contained in the catalyst), for example, about 10 to about 200 ppm (as tin), preferably about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm (as tin), based on the weight of the finally produced polyester.


If the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst of the present invention is used in the polycondensation in an amount of less than 10 ppm (as tin) based on the weight of the final polyester, a problem may arise in that the activity of the catalyst is lowered, so that the reaction time becomes longer and polyester having low viscosity is produced. If the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst is used in an amount of more than 200 ppm (as tin), it may cause foreign matter generation due to insoluble precipitates or cause deterioration of color tone due to residual metal ions.


According to the present invention, as the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is used, the polycondensation reaction may be performed even when the catalyst is used in small amounts. In addition, a product having high viscosity may be obtained within a short reaction time. Since the amount of catalyst used may be reduced as described above, it is possible to improve the color tone of the polyester resin produced after polymerization by reducing the greyish discoloration of the polyester resin and to obtain the polyester resin with increased viscosity. Thus, the catalyst of the present invention is industrially considerably advantageous.


In general, polyester has a high softening point. Hence, when a processed article is produced using polyester resin, the polyester resin tends to be decomposed to produce acetaldehyde in a high-temperature processing process. Acetaldehyde has a pronounced taste, and hence adversely affects the flavor and aroma of food when used in a food-related product. When the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention is applied, the produced polyester may have improved heat resistance, so that the production of acetaldehyde from the produced polyester may be reduced.


According to the polyester production method of the present invention, the polyester may be formed by liquid phase polymerization, and the formed polyester may have an intrinsic viscosity ranging from about 0.50 dl/g to about 0.70 dl/g. Meanwhile, according to the polyester production method of the present invention, the polyester may be formed by solid phase polymerization, and the formed polyester may have an intrinsic viscosity ranging from about 0.70 dl/g to about 1.3 dl/g.


Polyester Product


Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to polyester produced by the production method of the present invention using the polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester according to the present invention. Specific examples of such polyesters include polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polytetramethylene terephthalate, polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, polyethylene-1,2-bis(2-chlorophenoxy) ethane-4,4′-dicarboxylate, and the like.


The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. However, these examples are merely provided to illustrate the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.


EXAMPLES
Preparation Example 1

5 g of an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst was diluted in ethylene glycol to reach a total weight of 2 kg, and stirred at a stirring speed of 400 rpm, thereby preparing the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst in ethylene glycol at a concentration of 0.25%. Then the catalyst prepared in ethylene glycol was allowed to react in a reflux reactor at a temperature of 160 to 180° C. for 2 hours to produce an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound catalyst solution.


Comparative Preparation Example 1

40 g of antimony was dissolved in ethylene glycol to reach a total weight of 2 kg, and stirred at a speed of 400 rpm, thereby preparing a catalyst solution. The catalyst solution was allowed to react in a reflux reactor at a temperature of 180 to 190° C. for 2 hours to produce an antimony glycolate solution.


Example 1

7.8 kg of terephthalic acid (TPA) and 3.3 kg of ethylene glycol (EG) were prepared into a slurry (EG/TPA molar ratio=1.13). The slurry was introduced into an esterification reactor in a semi-batch manner, and allowed to react at atmospheric pressure under a nitrogen atmosphere until the reaction temperature reached 265° C., thereby producing a polyester oligomer. In the esterification reaction, the slurry was introduced at a temperature of 253° C., the final esterification reaction was completed at a temperature of 265° C., and the reaction was performed for about 3 hours and 30 minutes.


The polyethylene terephthalate oligomer was transferred into a polycondensation reactor, and a stannous oxide catalyst was added thereto in an amount of 200 ppm based on the finally produced polyethylene terephthalate. Next, polycondensation of the polyethylene terephthalate oligomer was performed under a high vacuum over about 2 hours and 30 minutes until the reaction temperature reached 288° C.


After completion of the polycondensation reaction, the reaction product was solidified with cooling water to obtain a polyethylene terephthalate polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of about 0.60 to 0.65 dl/g.


Examples 2 to 70

Polyester polymers were produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compounds shown in Table 1 below were used as catalysts in an amount of 10 to 200 ppm.


Comparative Example 1

A polyester polymer was produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that no catalyst was used.


Comparative Example 2

A polyester polymer was produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that the antimony catalyst solution prepared in Comparative Preparation Example 1 was used as a catalyst.


Comparative Examples 3 to 7

Polyester polymers were produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that antimony catalyst solutions shown in Table 1 below were used as catalysts.


Comparative Examples 8 to 43

Polyester polymers were produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that inorganic stannic (tin (IV)) compounds shown in Table 1 below were used as catalysts.


Comparative Example 44 to 85

Polyester polymers were produced in the same manner as Example 1 except that inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compounds shown in Table 1 below were used as catalysts in an amount of 1 ppm or 500 ppm.


Test Example

The physical properties of the polyester polymers produced according to Examples 1 to 70 and Comparative Examples 44 to 85 above were evaluated in the following manner, and the results of the evaluation are shown in Table 1 below. The physical properties of the polyester polymers produced according to Comparative Examples 1 to 43 above were evaluated in the same manner, and the results of the evaluation are shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1 below, the content of each catalyst is given on a metal basis.


(1) Intrinsic Viscosity


According to ASTM D 4603, 0.1 g of a sample was dissolved in a reagent (raw chip 90° C.; SSP 130° C.), obtained by mixing phenol and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethanol at a weight ratio of 6:4, to a concentration of 0.4 g/100 ml for 90 minutes, and then the solution was placed in an Ubbelohde viscometer and kept in a constant-temperature bath at 30° C. for 10 minutes, and the number of seconds during which the sample solution drops was measured using the viscometer and an aspirator. After the number of seconds during which the solvent drops was also measured in the same manner, the relative viscosity (R.V.) and intrinsic viscosity (I.V.) values were calculated using Equations 1 and 2 below.










R
.
V
.

=

the





number





of





seconds





during





which





sample





solution






drops
/
the






number





of





seconds





during





which





solvent





drops





<

Equation





1

>







I
.
V
.

=



1
/
4

×

[


(

R
.
V
.





-
1


)

/
C

]


+


3
/
4

×

(

ln







R
.
V
.

/
C


)







<

Equation





2

>







wherein C represents the concentration of the sample in the solution (g/100 ml).


(2) Carboxyl End Groups (CEG) Concentration


According to ASTM D 7409, a sample was dissolved in o-cresol, and then analyzed using acid-base neutralization titration. Specifically, about 0.2 g of a sample was taken and 10 ml of benzyl alcohol was added thereto. Then the sample was dissolved by heating in a heating block at 200° C. for 10 minutes, and then cooled in a water bath for 1 minute. Then, 100 ml of phenol red and several drops of phenolphthalein indicator were added dropwise to the solution, followed by titration using 0.02 N KOH (or NaOH). Based on the titration amount, the carboxyl end groups (CEG) concentration was calculated according to Equation 3 below. The number of carboxyl groups is expressed as meq of carboxyl end groups/kg of polymer.









CEG
=


(

A
-
B

)

×

0
.
0


2
×
1

0


00
/
W






<

Equation





3

>







A: ml consumed for sample; B: blank; W: sample weight


(3) Diethylene Glycol (DEG) Concentration


Aminolysis with monoethanolamine was performed, followed by analysis by gas chromatography. Specifically, 1 g of a PET sample was taken, and 3 ml of monoethanolamine was added thereto. Then the sample was completely decomposed by heating on a hot plate equipped with a cooling device. After cooling, 20 ml of MeOH containing an internal standard (1,6-hexanediol), and 10 g of terephthalic acid (TPA) were added to the sample solution, followed by analysis by gas chromatography. The DEG standard calibration curve was plotted using MeOH solutions containing the same internal standard and having DEG contents of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%.


(4) Acetaldehyde Content of Polymer


According to ASTM F 2013, a frozen crushed polyester sample was placed in a headspace sampler vial, sealed, then extracted with hot water at 160° C. for 2 hours, and then analyzed by gas chromatography GC (Agilent 7890).


(5) Color Measurement (Color L)


Using a color difference meter (Color view-9000 manufactured by BYK Gardner), the color L value was measured under a D65 light source at an angle of 1000. The L value measured by the spectrophotometer is a colorimetric value calculated from the CIE 1976 CIE Lab color space after measuring the reflectance of each sample.

















TABLE 1







Content
Polycondensation









(ppm as
time
IV
CEG
DEG
Acetaldehyde



Kind of catalyst
Examples
metal)
(min)
(dl/g)
(meq/kg)
(wt %)
(ppm)
Color L























No catalyst was used
Comparative
0
610
0.389
68
1.61
315
61.5



Example 1























Comparative
1. Antimony
Comparative
500
110
0.618
29
0.89
168
51.3


Examples
triglycolate (P)
Example 2









(Antimony)
P = Powder
Comparative
200
144
0.618
28
0.91
188
55.6




Example 3











Comparative
100
342
0.521
47
1.51
254
57.8




Example 4











Comparative
40
516
0.423
48
1.52
216
57.8




Example 5











Comparative
10
730
0.387
49
1.56
288
58.4




Example 6











Comparative
1
725
0.397
51
1.59
297
60.4




Example 7









Comparative
2. Tin oxide (P)
Comparative
500
146
0.612
36
1.40
145
54.6


Examples

Example 8









(Tin(IV),

Comparative
200
168
0.618
41
1.41
178
55.6


Stannic)

Example 9











Comparative
100
305
0.611
51
1.58
196
57.8




Example 10











Comparative
40
486
0.621
54
1.54
206
57.4




Example 11











Comparative
10
601
0.604
62
1.62
246
57.9




Example 12











Comparative
1
712
0.421
61
1.59
268
56.1




Example 13










3. Tin fluoride
Comparative
500
168
0.621
34
1.26
98
51.2



(P)
Example 14











Comparative
200
215
0.613
36
1.38
145
53.4




Example 15











Comparative
100
316
0.619
41
1.40
168
54.6




Example 16











Comparative
40
406
0.621
45
1.51
199
55.9




Example 17











Comparative
10
598
0.609
48
1.55
216
57.1




Example 18











Comparative
1
678
0.416
51
1.49
298
56.9




Example 19










4. Tin sulfate
Comparative
500
178
0.618
41
1.39
178
52.6



(L)
Example 20










L = Liquid
Comparative
200
188
0.622
45
1.47
198
53.4




Example 21











Comparative
100
346
0.618
46
1.50
219
55.6




Example 22











Comparative
40
365
0.611
51
1.59
234
57.6




Example 23











Comparative
10
549
0.609
56
1.61
289
58.1




Example 24











Comparative
1
698
0.415
60
1.60
304
58.4




Example 25











Comparative
500
164
0.614
46
1.38
108
56.3




Example 26











Comparative
200
215
0.616
48
1.46
126
53.6




Example 27










5. Tin
Comparative
100
349
0.620
49
1.56
145
55.4



isopropoxide
Example 28










(L)
Comparative
40
405
0.614
53
1.49
159
54.6




Example 29











Comparative
10
594
0.608
55
1.50
187
57.6




Example 30











Comparative
1
732
0.415
58
1.59
245
57.9




Example 31










6. Tin acetate
Comparative
500
135
0.619
39
1.37
149
54.6



(P)
Example 32











Comparative
200
186
0.622
42
1.41
156
54.6




Example 33











Comparative
100
315
0.621
46
1.48
176
56.2




Example 34











Comparative
40
468
0.618
48
1.49
199
57.9




Example 35











Comparative
10
569
0.615
49
1.53
234
59.4




Example 36











Comparative
1
648
0.402
51
1.55
248
58.1




Example 37










7. Tin oxalate
Comparative
500
139
0.619
39
1.46
145
54.6



(P)
Example 38











Comparative
200
191
0.623
40
1.35
161
55.9




Example 39











Comparative
100
304
0.622
47
1.46
204
57.4




Example 40











Comparative
40
415
0.615
49
1.48
226
58.9




Example 41











Comparative
10
548
0.617
51
1.54
240
57.6




Example 42











Comparative
1
678
0.489
56
1.59
248
59.4




Example 43









Tin(II),
1. Tin oxide (P)
Comparative
500
118
0.623
29
1.61
64
52.6


Stannous

Example 44











Example 1
200
128
0.618
31
1.01
94
53.6




Example 2
100
178
0.614
41
1.34
156
57.8




Example 3
40
194
0.620
41
1.40
164
58.4




Example 4
20
205
0.621
41
1.41
171
59.4




Example 5
10
356
0.621
48
1.46
197
60.7




Comparative
8
406
0.576
51
1.51
194
61.1




Example 45











Comparative
1
613
0.556
61
1.56
193
61.2




Example 46










2. Tin
Comparative
500
89
0.623
27
1.64
84
54.3



pyrophosphate
Example 47










(P)
Example 6
200
96
0.628
31
1.51
91
55.6




Example 7
100
116
0.618
34
1.34
99
57.8




Example 8
40
131
0.620
35
1.26
104
57.6




Example 9
20
159
0.621
35
1.28
108
58.6




Example 10
10
246
0.617
41
1.48
165
59.1




Comparative
8
403
0.549
45
1.42
170
59.8




Example 48











Comparative
1
598
0.537
54
1.42
178
60.4




Example 49










3. Tin
Comparative
500
94
0.623
29
1.58
61
51.6



phosphate (P)
Example 50











Example 11
200
106
0.619
32
0.99
79
54.3




Example 12
100
189
0.623
29
1.31
106
56.8




Example 13
40
215
0.618
38
1.49
146
59.1




Example 14
20
238
0.618
38
1.50
150
58.9




Example 15
10
378
0.619
43
1.48
154
57.8




Comparative
8
441
0.576
41
1.48
160
58.8




Example 51











Comparative
1
597
0.567
39
1.49
168
60.3




Example 52










4. Tin tartrate
Comparative
500
81
0.609
30
1.46
78
53.6



(P)
Example 53











Example 16
200
91
0.616
33
1.48
81
53.6




Example 17
100
198
0.615
43
1.21
106
54.8




Example 18
40
216
0.621
42
1.00
112
58.6




Example 19
20
235
0.620
42
1.01
123
59.4




Example 20
10
367
0.611
51
1.51
181
60.1




Comparative
8
463
0.599
51
1.51
199
60.7




Example 54











Comparative
1
642
0.578
47
1.42
216
61.3




Example 55










5. Tin acetate
Comparative
500
74
0.616
30
1.39
100
53.4



(P)
Example 56











Example 21
200
76
0.615
28
1.38
95
57.1




Example 22
100
84
0.611
28
1.24
114
57.6




Example 23
40
90
0.621
30
1.41
129
58.7




Example 24
20
106
0.622
31
1.41
135
59.1




Example 25
10
226
0.626
40
1.48
159
61.2




Comparative
8
391
0.578
41
1.50
162
60.7




Example 57











Comparative
1
562
0.547
43
1.53
172
56.3




Example 58










6. Tin oxalate
Comparative
500
80
0.623
28
1.46
50
54.8



(P)
Example 59











Example 26
200
86
0.619
27
1.47
48
57.6




Example 27
100
95
0.621
28
1.41
54
58.4




Example 28
40
113
0.623
27
1.02
54
60.1




Example 29
20
131
0.622
28
1.03
45
60.4




Example 30
10
218
0.618
28
1.04
33
59.4




Comparative
8
387
0.591
32
1.07
56
57.4




Example 60











Comparative
1
543
0.554
34
1.15
78
54.1




Example 61










7. Tin stearate
Comparative
500
91
0.626
27
1.54
61
53.2



(P)
Example 62











Example 31
200
94
0.615
29
1.21
83
55.6




Example 32
100
165
0.613
38
1.51
145
58.6




Example 33
40
216
0.621
39
1.51
169
60.3




Example 34
20
238
0.619
39
1.50
154
60.1




Example 35
10
384
0.609
45
1.56
209
61.4




Comparative
8
425
0.587
48
1.50
209
59.8




Example 63











Comparative
1
559
0.563
51
1.48
216
56.4




Example 64










8. Tin oleate (P)
Comparative
500
81
0.618
28
1.35
63
55.3




Example 65











Example 36
200
91
0.618
28
1.41
85
57.1




Example 37
100
159
0.611
38
1.47
126
58.6




Example 38
40
215
0.615
41
1.41
158
61.2




Example 39
20
234
0.618
42
1.42
168
60.9




Example 40
10
364
0.614
51
1.56
189
60.8




Comparative
8
431
0.599
52
1.57
199
54.7




Example 66











Comparative
1
586
0.587
54
1.61
205
54.6




Example 67










9. Tin gluconate
Comparative
500
94
0.621
31
1.54
61
54.6



(P)
Example 68











Example 41
200
105
0.620
32
1.48
105
55.6




Example 42
100
129
0.619
32
1.31
89
58.6




Example 43
40
151
0.624
36
1.25
91
59.4




Example 44
20
178
0.622
36
1.26
101
60.1




Example 45
10
375
0.611
38
1.26
168
60.1




Comparative
8
461
0.588
40
1.30
179
58.1




Example 69











Comparative
1
604
0.546
41
1.31
201
56.8




Example 70










10. Tin citrate
Comparative
500
99
0.621
28
1.47
64
56.4



(P)
Example 71











Example 46
200
104
0.619
28
1.21
72
56.8




Example 47
100
201
0.612
39
1.16
136
57.9




Example 48
40
304
0.611
41
1.21
159
58.9




Example 49
20
315
0.614
41
1.26
170
59.1




Example 50
10
398
0.623
41
1.51
184
59.4




Comparative
8
446
0.576
54
1.50
190
57.6




Example 72











Comparative
1
547
0.546
58
1.49
198
56.4




Example 73










11. Tin 2-
Comparative
500
121
0.621
31
1.35
81
53.2



ethylhexanoate
Example 74










(L)
Example 51
200
134
0.620
32
1.36
75
55.6




Example 52
100
189
0.619
37
1.26
103
56.8




Example 53
40
231
0.623
40
1.19
116
57.9




Example 54
20
256
0.621
40
1.20
124
58.4




Example 55
10
398
0.617
41
1.36
164
58.9




Comparative
8
521
0.578
46
1.40
171
56.8




Example 75











Comparative
1
601
0.531
48
1.40
189
54.3




Example 76










12. Tin ethoxide
Comparative
500
106
0.622
27
1.48
88
54.3



(P)
Example 77











Example 56
200
140
0.624
29
1.41
96
56.9




Example 57
100
189
0.619
32
1.29
94
58.9




Example 58
40
206
0.617
36
1.21
124
60.8




Example 59
20
223
0.622
36
1.23
130
60.9




Example 60
10
366
0.620
36
1.31
145
61.2




Comparative
8
450
0.567
40
1.14
201
58.4




Example 78











Comparative
1
645
0.531
42
1.46
206
57.3




Example 79










13. Tin
Comparative
500
119
0.608
29
1.34
119
51.3



acetylacetonate
Example 80










(L)
Example 61
200
146
0.603
33
1.29
134
53.7




Example 62
100
214
0.615
35
1.29
141
55.6




Example 63
40
255
0.618
36
1.18
184
59.1




Example 64
20
274
0.620
36
1.20
191
59.2




Example 65
10
342
0.614
36
1.34
206
58.7




Comparative
8
463
0.556
41
1.40
230
27.1




Example 81











Comparative
1
547
0.512
41
1.41
245
56.4




Example 82










14. Tin
Comparative
500
80
0.613
28
1.34
56
56.1



glycolate (P, L)
Example 83











Example 66
200
92
0.622
29
1.27
60
57.9




Example 67
100
101
0.622
29
1.21
62
58.8




Example 68
40
116
0.631
28
1.16
71
60.1




Example 69
20
126
0.626
29
1.16
81
61.8




Example 70
10
207
0.617
36
1.42
113
62.8




Comparative
8
422
0.584
36
1.43
119
60.1




Example 84











Comparative
1
564
0.553
38
1.51
120
58.4




Example 85









Referring to Table 1 above, it can be seen that the physical properties (color L, CEG concentration, DEG concentration, and heat resistance) of the polyethylene terephthalates produced in Examples 1 to 70 were equal to or better than those in Comparative Examples in which the antimony catalyst was used. In addition, in the case of Comparative Examples 8 to 43 in which the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound was used, the polycondensation time was longer and the content of acetaldehyde was higher than those for the catalyst compositions of Examples 1 to 70. Accordingly, it can be seen that the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound of the present invention is highly active as a polymerization catalyst for the production of polyester and thus can shorten the polymerization time, and the polyester produced using the same exhibits a high intrinsic viscosity.


Although the present invention has been described above in conjunction with the limited embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent that various modifications and alternations may be made to the present invention by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the true scope of the present invention should be defined in the claims and the equivalents to the claims.

Claims
  • 1. A polymerization catalyst for production of polyester, the polymerization catalyst comprising an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound.
  • 2. The polymerization catalyst of claim 1, wherein the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is selected from the group consisting of stannous oxide, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous phosphate, stannous tartrate, stannous acetate, stannous oxalate, stannous stearate, stannous oleate, stannous gluconate, stannous citrate, stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, stannous ethoxide, stannous acetylacetonate, and stannous glycolate.
  • 3. The polymerization catalyst of claim 1, which is a polymerization catalyst for production of homopolyester.
  • 4. A composition for production of polyester, the composition comprising the polymerization catalyst set forth in claim 2.
  • 5. The composition of claim 4, which comprises the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound in an amount of 10 ppm to 200 ppm.
  • 6. The composition of claim 4, which is a composition for production of homopolyester.
  • 7. A method of producing polyester by polycondensation of a polymerization starting material comprising an esterification product of a dicarboxylic acid component and a glycol component, wherein a polymerization catalyst for production of polyester is used as a catalyst for the polycondensation, wherein the polymerization catalyst comprises an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound selected from the group consisting of stannous oxide, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous phosphate, stannous tartrate, stannous acetate, stannous oxalate, stannous stearate, stannous oleate, stannous gluconate, stannous citrate, stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, stannous ethoxide, stannous acetylacetonate, and stannous glycolate.
  • 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the polyester is homopolyester.
  • 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the polymerization catalyst for production of polyester is added during slurry preparation before an esterification reaction, is added during the esterification reaction, or is added during the polycondensation after the esterification reaction.
  • 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the polymerization catalyst for production of polyester, the polymerization catalyst comprising an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is added as powder to a polymerization process for production of polyester or is added as a catalyst solution to the polymerization process, wherein the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is selected from the group consisting of stannous oxide, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous phosphate, stannous tartrate, stannous acetate, stannous oxalate, stannous stearate, stannous oleate, stannous gluconate, stannous citrate, stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, stannous ethoxide, stannous acetylacetonate, and stannous glycolate.
  • 11. The method of claim 7, which comprises the step of preparing in ethylene glycol the polymerization catalyst for production of polyester, the polymerization catalyst comprising an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound, and adding the prepared polymerization catalyst, wherein this step is the step of adding stannous glycolate prepared by allowing the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound to react with ethylene glycol, wherein the inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound is selected from the group consisting of stannous oxide, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous phosphate, stannous tartrate, stannous acetate, stannous oxalate, stannous stearate, stannous oleate, stannous gluconate, stannous citrate, stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, stannous ethoxide, stannous acetylacetonate, and stannous glycolate.
  • 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the polymerization catalyst for production of polyester is added in an amount of 10 ppm to 200 ppm based on a weight of the produced polyester, wherein the polymerization catalyst comprises an inorganic stannous (tin (II)) compound selected from the group consisting of stannous oxide, stannous pyrophosphate, stannous phosphate, stannous tartrate, stannous acetate, stannous oxalate, stannous stearate, stannous oleate, stannous gluconate, stannous citrate, stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, stannous ethoxide, stannous acetylacetonate, and stannous glycolate.
  • 13. A polyester produced by the method set forth in claim 7.
Priority Claims (3)
Number Date Country Kind
10-2019-0040024 Apr 2019 KR national
10-2019-0088118 Jul 2019 KR national
10-2020-0036752 Mar 2020 KR national
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/KR2020/004498 4/2/2020 WO 00