Physico-chemical study of PET bottles and PET bottled water

Several studies have shown the presence of compounds not expected a priori in bottled water. One of the possible sources is the diffusion of constituents from PET E to water (monomers, catalysts, additives or degradation products) after exposure to different conditions of storage, time, temperature or/and sunlight. The migration of acetaldehyde and antimony has been observed at room temperature and at 40 degrees C for 45 days. At the same time, a physicochemical characterisation of the PET E bottle has been performed. IRTF spectroscopy was carried out in order to determine the nature of polymeric material and its structural state. The crystallinity ratio and the glass transition temperature were observed by calorimetric measurements. Low frequency mechanical spectroscopy was used to characterise the dynamics of molecular motions in the polymer. Finally, X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS) was achieved to determine the structure and arrangement of PET E chains in the bottle.