Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) from Waste Textiles with Improved Thermal and Rheological Properties by Chain Extension

Annual production of textile fibers is continuing to rise and the substantial discharge of undegradable waste polyester fibers can cause serious environmental and even health problems. Thus, the recycling and reuse of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) from waste textiles (rPET-F) is highly desir...

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Published inPolymers Vol. 14; no. 3; p. 510
Main Authors Wu, Wen-Jun, Sun, Xiao-Li, Chen, Qinghua, Qian, Qingrong
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland MDPI AG 27.01.2022
MDPI
Subjects
Chain branching
chain extender
Chromatography
Copolymers
Crystallization
Environmental impact
mechanical recycling
Molecular structure
Molecular weight
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
PET fibers
Phenols
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polymerization
Polymers
Recycling
Rheological properties
rheological property
Rheology
Spectrum analysis
Textile fibers
Textiles
Thermodynamic properties
Viscosity
waste textile
United States > US
China
mechanical recycling
waste textile
PET fibers
rheological property
chain extender
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Summary:Annual production of textile fibers is continuing to rise and the substantial discharge of undegradable waste polyester fibers can cause serious environmental and even health problems. Thus, the recycling and reuse of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) from waste textiles (rPET-F) is highly desirable but still challenging. Here, five chain extenders with a different number of epoxy groups per molecules were used to blend with discarded PET fibers and improve its viscosity and quality loss in the recycling process. The molecule weight, thermal properties, rheological properties and macromolecular architecture of modified r-PET were investigated. It was found that all modified rPET-F samples show higher viscosities and better thermal properties. rPET-F modified by difunctional EXOP molecules show linear structure and improved rheological properties. rPET-F modified by polyfunctional commercial ADR and synthesized copolymers exhibit a long chain branched structure and better crystallization. This study reveals a deeper understanding of the chain extension and opens an avenue for the recycling of PET textiles.
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ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym14030510