Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Research Articles

Selective Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic Waste Using Iron Salt Photocatalysts.

Plastic pollution poses a significant challenge to environmental conservation. Efficient recycling of plastic is a key strategy to address this issue. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly found in plastic bottles, represents a substantial portion of plastic waste. Consequently, the efficient degradation and recycling of PET is crucial for the sustainable development of society. However, the implementation of methods for PET depolymerization and recycling typically necessitates alkaline/acidic pre-treatment and significant energy input for heating. Here, we propose a gentle, and highly efficient photocatalysis approach for selectively degrading PET plastic waste into terephthalic acid (TPA) in high yield (up to 99%) using cost-effective iron salts. Notably, this method achieved excellent selectivity with high TON and TOF values, applying oxygen or air as environmentally friendly oxidants. In addition, the solvent can be recycled without compromising the TPA yield, and large-scale reactions can be performed smoothly.

Durability of non-woven geotextiles produced from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Achieving the goals of sustainable development and circular economy requires recycling and reusing plastic materials. In this research, the durability of five needle-punched non-woven geotextiles were experimentally studied. The geotextiles were made of recycled PET (rPET), virgin PET (vPET), and combinations of rPET and vPET fibers. The samples were hydrolyzed for a period of 14, 28, and 56 days and the retained tensile strength and puncture resistance of the samples were determined at the end of each interval. Moreover, this study took the benefits from the capability of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transforms in infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images to interpret the results acquired. Testing on as-received products, it was understood that recycling process could increase crystallinity of the fibers, increasing the fibers fragility, reducing the tensile strength and elongation capacity of rPET fibers. Moreover, considering the borderline value of 50% retained strength, a shorter service life (up to 30%) of rPET products in comparison with vPET products, due to higher degradation rates, was observed.

Exploring the Potential of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate—Lignocellulose/Carbon Nanotube–Graphene Nanosheets an Efficient Extractor for Oil Spill

The global challenge of oil spill treatment has been addressed using nanocomposite-based natural fibers. These materials offer great potential in oil spill cleanup and are considered due to their environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and low cost. Thus, the current study reports a novel composite fabricated from date palm fiber (DPF) and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) with a proper combination of a mixture of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNSs) for oil removal. The established nanocomposite (DPF-rPET/CNT/GNS) was fabricated via physical mixing of various quantities (0.9, 0.8, and 0.7 g) of PET, along with varying loads of DPF at different proportions of CNT:GNS. The prepared nanocomposite (DPF-rPET/CNT/GNS) was fully characterized using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. In static experiments and under the optimal parameters of pH, sorbent doze, shaking time, and quantity of diesel oil), the established sorbent (DPF-rPET/CNT-GNS nanocomposite) displayed excellent adsorption capacity (98 mg/g). This study also expands the utility of the sorbent for the reusability of the oil adsorption, maintaining performance after five cycles. The adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99 and maximum adsorption capacity of 99.7 mg/g, indicating monolayer adsorption. Additionally, the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, with an R2 near unity and an adsorption capacity of 99.09 mg/g. This study highlights the promising potential of the DPF-rPET/CNT-GNS composite as an effective adsorbent for treating oily water.

Stabilizer Effects on the Gelation of Modified Recycled PET for 3D Printing Filament Application

This research identification gel types of the modified-recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) (modified-rPET) filament, with and without the addition of heat stabilizer Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (Irganox®1010). This research also identifies the gel types and studies thermal behavior of the modified-rPET filaments above, by using a hot-stage microscopy, and a differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. rPET flakes were dried to deplete the moisture. Then, they were mixed with additives and heat stabilizer (Irganox®1010) at 0 and 0.5 pph, Then, they were extruded to be compound using twin screw extruder. The compounds were extruded into filament by using filament extruder. The two temperature profiles were used. The first and the second temperature profiles from the feed zone to the die zone were 275-275-275 oC and 290-290-290 oC, respectively. The extrudate of modified-rPET with and without heat stabilizer, were investigated the type of gel and the thermal behavior of the modified-rPET filament. From this preliminary experiment, it was found that the “unmelt-gel” defect was found from the modified-rPET filament, without the addition of Irganox®1010. On the other hand, the “crosslinked gel” defect was found from the modified-rPET filament, with the addition of Irganox®1010. Therefore, the addition of heat stabilizer (Irganox®1010) may cause the “crosslinked gel” significantly. Our future work, we will investigate the effect of another stabilizer and chain extenders on the gelation behavior, to complete this clarification systematically.

Sustainability assessment of denim fabric made of PET fiber and recycled fiber from postconsumer PET bottles using LCA and LCC approach with the EDAS method.

The textile industry is under pressure to adopt sustainable production methods because its contribution to global warming is expected to rise by 50% by 2030. One solution is to increase the use of recycled raw material. The use of recycled raw material must be considered holistically, including its environmental and economic impacts. This study examined eight scenarios for sustainable denim fabric made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber, conventional PET fiber, and cotton fiber. The evaluation based on the distance from average solution (EDAS) multicriteria decision-making method was used to rank scenarios according to their environmental and economic impacts, which are assessed using life cycle assessment and life cycle costing. Allocation, a crucial part of evaluating the environmental impact of recycled products, was done using cut-off and waste value. Life cycle assessments reveal that recycled PET fiber has lower freshwater ecotoxicity and fewer eutrophication and acidification impacts. Cotton outperformed PET fibers in human toxicity. Only the cut-off method reduces potential global warming with recycled PET. These findings indicated that recycled raw-material life cycle assessment requires allocation. Life cycle cost analysis revealed that conventional PET is less economically damaging than cotton and recycled PET. The scenarios were ranked by environmental and economic impacts using EDAS. This ranking demonstrated that sustainable denim fabric production must consider both economic and environmental impacts. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2347-2365. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Sustainable waste-treating-waste strategy: Catalytic recycling of polyethylene terephthalate over reconstructed waste catalysts

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polyester plastic, but difficulties associated with PET recycling have led to significant environmental issues. The recycling of PET waste into building monomers and valuable chemicals has attracted increasing attention. Herein, we propose a sustainable circular strategy for efficiently hydrogenolytic depolymerizing the waste PET by using reconstructed spent catalysts from the heavy oil slurry-phase hydrocracking. Two types of molybdenum sulphide/activated petroleum-based carbon compounds, a-MoSx/APC and MoS2/APC, were constructed using waste refining catalyst through the activation and annealing methods, which were used as catalysts for the hydrogenolytic depolymerisation of waste PET. Experimental results revealed that the different active components in the two reconstructed catalysts, molybdenum sulphide clusters, and few-layered molybdenum disulfide, show different activity and selectivity for the catalytic depolymerisation of PET. After the β-scission process of PET, the formed intermediate vinyl-terminated carboxylate units are converted to monoethyl terephthalate (MET) through a CC insertion pathway catalyzed by MoV, while to terephthalic acid (TPA) through a hydrogenolysis pathway catalyzed by MoIV. Therefore, MoS2/APC converts PET to TPA with a yield of 83 % within 24 hours at 270 °C under 1 atmosphere of H2 and solvent-free conditions, without generating any MET products. Moreover, this process is effective for both commercial and waste PET, and the catalyst could be reused for at least ten runs with stable activity. The sustainable waste-treating-waste strategy highlights a potential approach to the circular economy.

Recycled PET foam core sandwich panels with reinforced hybrid composite facesheets: A sustainable approach for enhanced impact resistance

This research explores the Low-Velocity Impact behavior of thermoplastic composite sandwich panels with 100% recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) foam sourced from post-consumer plastic water bottles. Being recognized as a reliable technique, hybridization using stainless-steel mesh layers was employed to reinforce the panels’ composite facesheets of sandwich panels accessible for modular housing, cold storage rooms and cargo trucks. Adequate impregnation of the reinforcement metallic mesh layer alongside proper skin-to-core adhesion was accomplished by optimizing a two-phase compression molding method. The effect of hybridization on impact response of sandwich panels with two different PET foam core thicknesses, and stacking sequence were evaluated. It was revealed that reinforcing the impacted surface of the composite sandwich panels significantly increased the perforation threshold. Moreover, analyzing the post-impact section view of the samples indicated that hybridization modified the damage propagation response of the PET foam core sandwich composites, through which the energy absorption capacity was improved.

Comparative study of virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene intermingled thermoplastic composites

AbstractIn this study, a comparative analysis of the use of recycled PET (R‐PET) in synthetic and natural fiber blended composites was made. PET, R‐PET, and PP yarns were folded with reinforcing fibers by commingling technique and then fabrics were prepared using weaving technology. Hot compression molding technology was used for composite fabrication. Tensile and impact characterization revealed the significant influence of reinforcing and TP fibers on mechanical properties. R‐PET matrix glass fiber reinforced composites exhibited 41.77% higher tensile strength than virgin PET and 20.41% higher than PP. In terms of tensile strength for linen reinforced samples, R‐PET shows an impressive 181% improvement over virgin PET and 154% over PP. According to the drop weight test results, glass fiber reinforced R‐PET matrix sample exhibited a peak load value 53% higher than that of the virgin PET matrix, although it was 9.47% lower than the PP matrix. In linen fiber reinforced samples, R‐PET demonstrated a 57.73% improvement over virgin PET but lower by 9.47% compared to the PP matrix. During this time, DSC, TGA, FTIR, and flammability tests were also performed on the composite samples. The results showed that R‐PET has easy processability as a matrix material and provides better wetting of the reinforcing fibers. For this reason, it has been shown that R‐PET matrix samples provide better mechanical properties than both PET and PP matrix samples. It has also been determined that R‐PET is a more suitable matrix material compared with natural fiber reinforced composites.Highlights Commingled yarns were used for preparing composites. R‐PET yarns were used as matrix in preparing glass and linen reinforced composites. R‐PET was compared with virgin PET and PP yarns. R‐PET showed great potential in easy preparation of TP composites. Composites made with R‐PET showed improved thermal and mechanical properties.

Evaluation of asphalt mixtures modified with polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste, ubiquitous in packaging and shipping industries, offers logistical advantages through its lightweight, durable nature, fostering cost-effective transportation. However, concerns over PET’s environmental impact arise from its persistence in ecosystems and contribution to pollution, urging industries to prioritize responsible waste management and recycling strategies. Recognizing the pivotal role of the construction industry, leveraging PET recycling in asphalt mixtures presents an applicable solution to curtail the environmental footprint of PET waste. Roadway asphalt construction, a significant industry, holds substantial potential to integrate PET waste into asphalt, offering a promising avenue for sustainable waste utilization. This research investigates the integration of PET waste into Egyptian asphalt mixtures across nine distinct compositions, varying binder percentages (3.0%, 3.50%, and 4%) and PET ratios (6%, 7%, and 8%). Marshall and Hamburg Wheel Rutting tests were conducted, comparing these formulations against a control mix devoid of PET. Notably, optimal outcomes emerged from the 3% binder with 8% PET combination, exhibiting enhanced mix stability and stiffness while meeting established mix design standards, signifying promising improvements in sustainability without compromising performance metrics.

Recycled PET Fibers with Dopamine Surface Modification for Enhanced Interlayer Adhesion in 3D Printed Concrete.

Three-dimensional printed concrete (3DPC) is increasingly recognized in the construction industry for its high design flexibility and the elimination of conventional formwork. However, weak interlayer adhesion remains a significant challenge. The potential of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers for reinforcing 3DPC is being explored, driven by their environmental sustainability and economic advantages. However, there is an inadequate interfacial adhesion between these recycled fibers and the 3DPC matrix. This study investigated the use of dopamine modification to address this issue and enhance the interlayer adhesion of fiber-reinforced 3DPC. Recycled PET fibers were surface-modified using dopamine treatment, forming a polydopamine (PDA) film that improved surface roughness and hydrophilicity. Both unmodified and modified fibers were incorporated into 3DPC at various volume fractions (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%). The effects on interlayer adhesion strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength were systematically evaluated and compared. The results showed that the inclusion of 0.3 vol% dopamine-modified fibers resulted in a 22.5% increase in interlayer adhesion strength compared to the control group, and a 14.8% improvement over unmodified fibers at the same content. Additionally, the compressive strength and flexural strength of 3DPC with 0.3 vol% MPET fibers increased by 22.5% and 27.6%, respectively, compared to the control group. Microstructural analysis using SEM and XRD revealed that the dopamine modification significantly improved the interfacial adhesion between fibers and the concrete matrix, explaining the superior performance of modified fibers. This study demonstrates that recycled PET fibers modified with dopamine can effectively enhance the interlayer adhesion of 3DPC. The findings affirm that surface modification techniques can significantly elevate the utility of recycled PET fibers in 3DPC, contributing to the sustainable advancement of construction materials.

Comparative evaluation of the extracellular production of a polyethylene terephthalate degrading cutinase by Corynebacterium glutamicum and leaky Escherichia coli in batch and fed-batch processes

BackgroundWith a growing global population, the generation of plastic waste and the depletion of fossil resources are major concerns that need to be addressed by developing sustainable and efficient plastic recycling methods. Biocatalytic recycling is emerging as a promising ecological alternative to conventional processes, particularly in the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, cost-effective production of the involved biocatalyst is essential for the transition of enzymatic PET recycling to a widely used industrial technology. Extracellular enzyme production using established organisms such as Escherichia coli or Corynebacterium glutamicum offers a promising way to reduce downstream processing costs.ResultsIn this study, we compared extracellular recombinant protein production by classical secretion in C. glutamicum and by membrane leakage in E. coli. A superior extracellular release of the cutinase ICCGDAQI was observed with E. coli in batch and fed-batch processes on a litre-scale. This phenomenon in E. coli, in the absence of a signal peptide, might be associated with membrane-destabilizing catalytic properties of the expressed cutinase. Optimisations regarding induction, expression temperature and duration as well as carbon source significantly enhanced extracellular cutinase activity. In particular, in fed-batch cultivation of E. coli at 30 °C with lactose as carbon source and inducer, a remarkable extracellular activity (137 U mL−1) and cutinase titre (660 mg L−1) were achieved after 48 h. Literature values obtained with other secretory organisms, such as Bacillus subtilis or Komagataella phaffii were clearly outperformed. The extracellular ICCGDAQI produced showed high efficacy in the hydrolysis of PET textile fibres, either chromatographically purified or unpurified as culture supernatant. In less than 18 h, 10 g L−1 substrate was hydrolysed using supernatant containing 3 mg cutinase ICCGDAQI at 70 °C, pH 9 with terephthalic acid yields of up to 97.8%.ConclusionExtracellular production can reduce the cost of recombinant proteins by simplifying downstream processing. In the case of the PET-hydrolysing cutinase ICCGDAQI, it was even possible to avoid chromatographic purification and still achieve efficient PET hydrolysis. With such production approaches and their further optimisation, enzymatic recycling of PET can contribute to a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution to the industrial recycling of plastics in the future.

Revealing contaminants in China's recycled PET: Enabling safe food contact applications

The lack of data on chemical contamination in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) in food contact applications, impedes the legalization of rPET in food contact applications in China. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of contaminants in hot-washed rPET flakes, identifying 1011 compounds. While most substances were detected infrequently, some i.e., bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons stood out for their relatively high average concentrations. Limonene emerged as the most frequently detected flavorants. Rare genotoxic compounds like safrole and diethyl sulfate were detected at low levels, emphasizing the importance of adopting a conservative evaluation approach. Molecular descriptor analysis guided the proposal of four new surrogates, i.e., dimethyl pentanedioate, 2-tridecanone, bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, and 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethanone, for challenge tests, aiming to better capture the chemical diversity of rPET contaminants. This research unveils the contamination profile of Chinese rPET and suggests adjustments to evaluation protocols, potentially facilitating its high-value applications and minimizing potential harms.

Abiotic degradation and accelerated ageing of microplastics from biodegradable and recycled materials in artificial seawater

Microplastics (MPs) are considered one of the most widespread pollutants in all ecosystems worldwide. In the environment, MPs can undergo hydrolysis and/or oxidation, resulting in the release of low-molecular weight degradation products, along with additives, and adsorbed organic pollutants. In this study, the morphological, chemical, and thermal changes of microplastics obtained from two biodegradable plastics, polylactic acid and Mater-Bi®, and a recycled plastic, recycled-polyethylene terephthalate, were examined after accelerated ageing under photo-oxidative conditions in synthetic seawater in a Solarbox system, and after thermal treatment in the dark. Thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry. Compositions and changes of chemical components of the polymers were evaluated by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The leachable fractions and degradation products released in synthetic seawater by degraded MPs were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. This study allowed us to identify hydrolysis as the main degradation pathway of the polymers under analysis, and to characterize not only the oligomers and degradation products released in the water as a consequence of degradation, but also additives used in plastic item formulations. This study improves our understanding of these polymers' behavior under accelerated ageing conditions.

Impact of Ball Milling on the Microstructure of Polyethylene Terephthalate.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semi-crystalline polymer that finds broad use. Consequently, it contributes to the accumulation of plastics in the environment, warranting PET recycling technologies. Ball milling is a commonly used technique for the micronization of plastics before transformation. It has also recently been reported as an efficient mixing strategy for the enzymatic hydrolysis of plastics in moist-solid mixtures. However, the effect of milling on the microstructure of PET has not been systematically investigated. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to characterize the changes to the PET microstructure caused by various ball milling conditions. PET of different forms was examined, including pre- and post-consumer PET, as well as textiles. The material was treated to a range of milling frequencies and duration, before analysis of particle size, crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Interestingly, our results suggest the convergence of crystallinity to ~30% within 15 minutes of milling at 30 Hz. These results are consistent with an equilibrium between amorphous and crystalline regions of the polymer being established during ball milling. The combined data constitutes a reference guide for PET milling and recycling research.

Flexible PET/Carbon/NiFe‐LDH Electrode for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Water‐Splitting

AbstractThe development of low‐cost, readily scalable catalytic systems for green hydrogen production is crucial for diverse research and industrial applications. This work demonstrates the facile coupling of carbon/NiFe‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) onto flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates deposited by blade coating and spray coating techniques. These low‐temperature solution processes enable high‐throughput electrode fabrication. The resulting carbon electrode exhibits sheet resistance of 25 Ω sq−1, comparable to other state‐of‐the‐art works, and displays excellent adhesion to the substrate and catalyst layer, thereby ensuring system stability. Remarkably, the developed electrode exhibits high catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), achieving an overpotential of 215.9 and 267.4 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in rigid and flexible substrates respectively, and maintaining its performance even at 10 mA cm−2 for 24 h. This work highlights the potential of this methodology for producing readily transportable, flexible electrocatalytic systems with exceptional performance and minimal surface treatment of the substrate. Additionally, the use of low‐cost, readily recyclable PET plastic aligns with the principles of circular economy, promoting the integration of this platform into both research and industrial environments.

Kinetic modelling and mechanism elucidation of catalyst-free dimethyl terephthalate hydrolysis process intensification by reactive distillation

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer in the packaging and materials industries, and is predicted to have continuous market growth in the future. Methods such as glycolysis and methanolysis of PET have been identified as promising approaches in sustainable chemical recycling of PET. The latter produces dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), which can be easily hydrolyzed to terephthalic acid (TPA) at elevated temperatures and pressures, and further reused for PET production. The aim of this study was to develop a kinetic model for the hydrolysis of dimethyl terephthalate, using the experimental data. Various reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, time) have been investigated and used to calculate the activation energies and reaction rate constants, while the variation in reactor setup with methanol (MeOH) removal was conducted to show its detrimental effect on the efficiency of the reaction and selectivity towards terephthalic acid. The first reaction step of DMT to monomethyl terephthalate (MMT) is relatively irreversible, while the second reaction step of MMT to TPA ceases, as soon as the equilibrium is reached. Highest yields of TPA (76.7 %) were obtained after 40 min at 265 °C, with MeOH removal, and the activation energy was calculated to be 95 and 64 kJ mol−1 for the first and second hydrolysis reaction step, respectively.

Development of Vertical Farming Systems from Waste Polymers Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Driven by population growth, rising living costs, and the urgent need to address climate change, sustainable food production and circular economy principles are becoming increasingly important. Conventional agriculture faces significant challenges, including land scarcity, water shortages, and disrupted supply chains. As a solution, cities are adopting vertical farming to enhance urban food security and promote circularity. This research introduces FLOAT (Farming Lab on a Trough), an innovative vertical farming system made from bio-polymers and recycled polyethylene terephthalate glyco (rPETG) pellets from plastic bottles. FLOAT’s design emphasizes sustainability and closed-loop material usage. The study showcases the versatility of additive manufacturing (AM) in creating complex geometries with fully functional 1:1 prototypes. These prototypes highlight FLOAT’s potential as a scalable and adaptable solution for sustainable food production in urban settings, contributing to improved food security and environmental sustainability. By integrating FLOAT with conventional practices, we aim to exceed Singapore’s 2030 food security targets and achieve lasting urban food resilience. FLOAT aims to scale sustainable food production, fostering community ties with food, and nurturing future responsibility.

Titanium Dioxide-Decorated and Silanized Electrospun Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Fibers for Filtration

Abstract Electrospinning methods have produced polymer-based non-woven fibers that have excellent filtration for use as air filter media, however most work have been focused on producing thinner fibers by reducing polymer loading. In this work, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic from used soda plastic bottles was electrospun and decorated with nano-TiO2 to produce nonwoven media with antimicrobial properties. Electrospinning parameters were optimized to maintain higher loading percentage of PET to as much as 30% (w/v) with resulting fibers having an average diameter of 1.8 μm. Electrospun fiber mats were then treated with a silane-based binder for surface-decoration with nano-TiO2 coating to impart antimicrobial properties to these fibers. XRF mapping showed uniform coating of the nanoparticles. Atomic ratios from XRF of Ti to Si did not significantly change before and after ultrasonication washing signifying the covalent coating of the nanoparticles onto the fiber matrix.

Experimental and theoretical insights into bioethanol recovery: Valorizing waste PET bottles for sustainable pervaporation membranes

The use of bioethanol as an alternative source of fuel could solve energy and pollution concerns. However, its conventional recovery procedures make the overall process costly and energy intensive. Membrane-based pervaporation (PV) has gained significant attention in recent years. Most membranes that purify bioethanol are fabricated from conventional fossil-based polymers. This study presents the first work for biofuel separation by valorizing waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into PV membranes. The performance of the membrane was characterized in terms of FTIR, XRD, TGA, WCA, SEM, and AFM and tested for a 10 wt% ethanol–water feed mixture at different temperatures. The mild hydrophobic character of PET allowed the PV membrane to achieve a separation factor of 10.45, a total flux of 1.7 kg m−2h−1, and a pervaporation separation index (PSI) of 18.72 at 45 °C. The recycled PET membrane (rPET) has higher mass transfer resistance for water compared to ethanol. The density functional theory (DFT) analysis confirms a stronger affinity of PET membrane towards ethanol than water. The results showed that rPET membranes have competitive performance compared to conventional fossil-based derived membranes. This study explores an energy-environment nexus approach, which could significantly contribute to achieving the key United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

Prototype Pultrusion of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic Bottles into Filament for 3D Eco-Printing: Education for a Sustainable Development Project

Prototype Pultrusion of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic Bottles into Filament for 3D Eco-Printing: Education for a Sustainable Development Project