Efficient method and mechanism of depolymerization of PET under conventional heating and microwave radiation using t-BuNH2/Lewis acids

•PET Depolymerization under heating and microwave radiation using Lewis acids.•The microwave is the best method for glycolytic and hydrolytic PET depolymerization using t-BuNH2/Lewis acids.•t-BuNH2/LiBr was the best system in the glycolysis PET depolymerization.•t-BuNH2/NaCl was the best system in the hydrolysis PET depolymerization.•The end groups from oligomers validate the depolymerization mechanisms.