Evaluating Contaminant Effects and Blend Ratios on the Alkaline Hydrolysis of Polyester Textile Streams
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The increasing amounts of discarded textiles represent a potentially valuable resource that could be reclaimed, for example, by chemical techniques. This work underscores the significance of utilizing chemical recycling techniques for multicomponent fabrics under mild reaction conditions to investigate the reusability of recovered components. We present a method for recovery of cotton, elastane, and nylon from polyester blends through mild alkaline hydrolysis supported with a phase-transfer catalyst. To juxtapose the impact of these various fibers on the depolymerization of the polyester component into terephthalic acid (TPA), consistent reaction conditions were maintained. The average TPA yield (by mass) was 93.9 ± 2.8% for pre-consumer materials and 89.5 ± 3.1% for post-consumer materials. This comparative analysis provides insights into factors contributing to the observed decrease in the TPA yield. Inimitable to this study, an analysis of the reuse potential of recovered cotton via tensile strength was performed. The average cotton recovery (by mass) was 95.9 ± 0.8%. Comprehensive material characterization of all recovered components was performed. This research paves the way for a deeper understanding of the potential contamination of TPA, the quality of recollected fibers, and what components of a mixed textile stream act as potential "disruptors" to recyclability.
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: G6320682545, PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO PROVIDE MEASUREMENT METHODS AND DATA TO HELP ENABLE THE TRANSITION TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WITH THE GOALS OF IMPROVING SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY AND ENABLING U.S. COMPETITIVENESS.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE RESEARCHERS WILL USE METROLOGY SUCH AS SPECTROSCOPY TO CHARACTERIZE THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TEXTILES IN AN EFFORT TO DEVELOP DATA REPOSITORIES AND REGISTRIES FOLLOWING THE FAIR DATA PRINCIPLES, AS WELL AS ESTABLISH NEW STANDARDS AND METHODOLOGIES FOR THE SEPARATION OF TEXTILE BLENDS THAT WILL ALLOW THE REUSABILITY AND RECYCLABILITY OF THESE MATERIALS.EXPECTED OUTCOMES: THE RESEARCHERS ARE DEVELOPING A METHODS AND DATA RESOURCES TO HELP CHARACTERIZE COMMON TEXTILE BLENDS AND PROVIDE A SPECTRAL LIBRARY THAT COULD BE USED TO AUTOMATE SORTING AND ENABLE RECYCLING FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: IN ADDITION TO GENERAL SOCIETAL BENEFITS FROM RECLAIMING PREVIOUSLY WASTE MATERIAL, U.S. BUSINESSES AND THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY CAN BENEFIT FROM THE WORK IN THIS PROPOSAL TO FACILITATE A MOVE TOWARDS CIRCULARITY. AS FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT SORTING AND NEW METHODS OF RECYCLING ARE ENABLED, THIS WILL CAUSE GROWTH IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES FOCUSED IN THE FIELD OF CIRCULAR TEXTILES.SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.
OpenAlex ID: W4414010617