PET Fibers Research Articles

Poly (ethylene terephthalate) micro-nano fibrous membranes via optimized melt electrospinning for water filtration

Melt electrospinning (MES) offers an eco-friendly and efficient method for the production of micro-nano fibers. However, micro-nano fibers production from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by MES is challenging due to poor conductivity and high viscosity melts. Here, we report an optimized MES method to create PET fibers with 665 nm average diameter, which was achieved by improving melt flow properties through the addition of a viscosity-reducing lubricant (pentaerythritol stearate) and optimized the spinneret design to generate stronger electric fields. Following this, a fibrous membrane was fabricated using vacuum assisted deposition flat-plate hot-pressing. The membrane exhibited a tensile strength of 14.5 MPa, buckling recovery at 50% buckling strain, and fatigue resistance over 100 cycles. Furthermore, the membrane exhibits water filtration performance with a flux of 7900 L·m−2·h-1 and a filtration efficiency of over 95% at low driving pressures (≤20 kPa). This work has provided inspiration for designing melt electrospinning micro-nano fibers for environmental governance applications.

The Role of Silica Fume in Enhancing the Strength and Transport Properties of PET Fiber–Ultra High-Performance Concrete

The Role of Silica Fume in Enhancing the Strength and Transport Properties of PET Fiber–Ultra High-Performance Concrete

Construction of durable flame retardant, anti-dripping, and smoke-suppressing recycled polyester fabric

Recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (R-PET) fabrics offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to virgin PET but exhibit high flammability and increased smoke emission. In this study, magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles (nano-Mg(OH)2) with the particle size of 53 nm were synthesized and combined with cyclic phosphate ester through high-temperature and high-pressure immersion technology. The organic‒inorganic flame retardant (FR) agents were expected to penetrate the R-PET fibers, thus achieving high washing durability for flame retardancy and smoke suppression. The surface structural performance of nano-Mg(OH)2 and the smoke and heat suppression capacity, FR performance, mechanism and laundering resistance of the modified R-PET samples were also explored. The organic‒inorganic FR system significantly improved the FR properties and anti-dripping ability of R-PET while significantly reducing smoke and heat generation. Moreover, the modified R-PET fabrics exhibited self-extinguishing ability even after 40 washes, indicating their high washing resistance. The organic‒inorganic FR system was effective in both gas and condensed phase, providing multilevel fire safety. This study provides efficient and durable FR-functionalized R-PET fabrics with low smoke suppression and high fire safety.

Poly(hexamethylene biguanide) immobilized non-absorbable and antimicrobial PET fiber for surgical suture applications: synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytocompatibility assessment

Poly(hexamethylene biguanide) immobilized non-absorbable and antimicrobial PET fiber for surgical suture applications: synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytocompatibility assessment

Durability Performance and Mechanical Behavior of Pet Fiber Reinforced Recycled Fluid Concrete

Abstract Many environmental problems can be attributed to various sources, such as the demolition of old buildings, waste from bricks, glass waste, among others, which are generated worldwide. This waste is converted and recycled as natural aggregate. On the other hand, a significant issue with concrete incorporating Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) is its inferior properties compared to natural aggregate concrete. The subpar properties of RCA concrete can be enhanced by the addition of Fibers. This research examines the effects of polyethylene terephthalate fiber (RPETF) and recycled fine concrete aggregates (RFCA) on the mechanical properties and durability of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Three concrete families were created: one using RPETF alone, one using RFCA alone, and a third utilizing both RPETF and RFCA combined. The natural fine aggregates (NFA) were replaced with RFCA in increments of 25% from 0% to 100%. The results showed that the split tensile strengths of the mix of 100% RFCA and 1.2 % RPETF have improved over time by 28% compared to the mix with 100% RFCA alone. However, the inclusion of RPETF in SCC mixtures with varying amounts of RFCA resulted in reduced durability of the composite.

Optimisation of cationic dye dyeing process of Porel fabrics using response surface methodology

AbstractPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibre, widely utilised across diverse industries, suffers from inherent drawbacks such as inadequate moisture absorption, limited hydrophilicity, and susceptibility to static electricity. To address these limitations, Porel fibre has emerged as a novel modified polyester fibre that incorporates flexible aliphatic polyester into its macromolecular chain. This innovative design not only overcomes the deficiencies of PET fibre but also enables it to be dyed using cationic dyes or disperse dyes under atmospheric pressure conditions. However, the investigation of the dyeing process of cationic dyes on Porel textiles remains relatively scarce. In this work, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the dyeing process of Porel fabrics with C.I. Basic Blue 162. The effects of dyeing temperature, dyeing time, and dye concentration on exhaustion percentage and colour strength (K/S value) were investigated using the Central Composite Design (CCD) method. The optimal dyeing process condition was as follows: a dyeing temperature of 96°C, a dyeing time of 51 min, a dye concentration of 3.6% owf, a dye solution pH value of 4–5, and a liquor ratio of 1:20. Under the optimal dyeing process conditions, the Porel fabrics achieved an exhaustion percentage of 96.2% and a K/S value of 36.0. The aforementioned efforts endow Porel fibre with high‐quality dyeing capabilities and broaden the application prospects of polyester textiles.

Depolymerization of PET Fibers from Textile Blends and Recovery of Terephthalic Acid

AbstractThe hydrolytic depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers with solid sodium hydroxide was investigated. The study presents an innovative recycling approach for the recovery of virgin‐quality terephthalic acid (TA) from textile blends consisting of PET and elastane fibers. PET fibers were depolymerized for 5 min at 140 °C. An internal mixer served as an investigation platform for the experiments. The quality of TA is quantified based on its color value. Both the hydrolytic depolymerization of polyester fibers and the quality of the recovered TA are not impaired by the presence of up to 15 % elastane fibers in textile blends.

Plant-wide optimal scheduling of multi-grade PET production with time window constraints: A hybrid discrete/continuous-time optimization formulation

Plant-wide scheduling optimization of multi-grade PET production is of great significance for increasing the economic benefits and market competitiveness of PET plants. However, dealing with changeover operations between the production of products with different grades is challenging due to multiple timing limitations in the actual process. This study proposes a novel plant-wide scheduling optimization model for multi-grade PET production. The model focuses on three major categories of products, namely PET fibers, PET chips, and bottle-grade PET. Considering the impacts of nights and weekends on the production, a hybrid discrete/continuous-time representation method is developed to handle changeover operations with time window constraints. Afterward, a multi-objective optimization framework for multi-grade PET production is formulated to balance economic benefits and production stability. Case studies on a real-world PET plant are presented to verify the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method.

Dynamic compressive behaviors of polyethylene terephthalate fiber reinforced recycled aggregate concrete

AbstractPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers are green, environmentally friendly materials. They mainly come from recycled plastic bottles and other products. The addition of PET fibers to recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has the potential to reduce concrete damage and increase specimen toughness. In this study, the influences of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio and fiber volume ratio on the impact response of PET fiber reinforced RAC at various strain rates were experimentally investigated. It was found that the compressive strength, critical strain, and toughness grew with the increasing strain rate, followed by the aggravation of the concrete damage. Owing to the strain rate effect, the failure mode of concrete specimen at a high strain rate was different from that under a quasi‐static loading. This led to the reduction of differences in the dynamic compressive strength between the natural and recycled aggregate concrete at a high strain rate. Although the replacement of natural coarse aggregates with RCAs resulted in the decrease in the dynamic compressive strength, it increased the critical strain of the specimen. To reduce the brittleness of concrete materials, flexible fibers, PET fibers were added into the concrete matrix. It was found that the addition of PET fibers increased the critical strain and significantly reduced concrete damage. The empirical equations were proposed to describe the rate‐dependent dynamic compressive strength, critical strain, and toughness based on experimental data.

Considering microplastic characteristics in ecological risk assessment: A case study for China

Microplastics (MPs) pose a significant global concern, requiring a multifaceted approach to their risk assessment procedures, especially concerning their characteristics in the environment. The Horqin Left Middle Banner in Northeast China was chosen for the research region to investigate the abundance, composition, distribution, and ecological impact of MPs in surface agricultural soils. The concentrations of MPs ranged from 300 to 12800 items/kg, with a median concentration of 1550 items/kg (average = 1994 items/kg). The normal-sized MPs (500–5000 µm) had a higher relative abundance than small MPs (<500 µm). MPs were mainly derived from textiles and packaging and were affected by atmospheric transportation. Rayon and PET fibers were the main polymers identified. Furthermore, the potential environmental risks posed by the fundamental characteristics (abundance, chemical composition, and size) of MPs were quantified using multiple risk assessment models. The conditional fragmentation model indicated a propensity for MPs to degrade into smaller particles. Ecological risk assessments using pollution load index, pollution hazard index, and potential ecological risk index models revealed varying levels of risk. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the ecological risks of MPs based on their environmental characteristics, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple factors in the risk assessment process. Environment implicationThis study investigates the occurrence, distribution, and ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils of the Northeast Plain of China, a major food production area. MPs are persistent organic pollutants that can pose threats to soil health, crop quality, and food security. By analyzing the composition, size, and source of MPs, as well as their fragmentation and stability in soil, this study provides valuable data for assessing the environmental risk of MPs in agricultural regions. The study also suggests strategies for mitigating MPs pollution and protecting soil ecosystems.

Assessment of Strength and Bending of Concrete Containing Crushed Glass and Fibers

Abstract &#x0D; This paper presents proposed investigations of the influence of crushed glass and fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete. Conventional concrete has lack tension in order to improve its flexural strength and compressive strength. This study has adopted the addition of PET fibers and recycled waste glass fibers to concrete. The study uses M25 grade concrete to study the effects of adding crushed waste glass at a weight of 0, 5, 10, and 15%. The PET fibers were extracted from waste bottles used for packaging of drinks and hand cut into very small rectangular pieces (with an average size of 3×10mm). For the mix design, the addition of 0, 3, 5, and 10% dosages of PET fiber was adopted to compare their influence against plain concrete with no fiber addition. Both fiber samples were tested for compressive strength and flexural strength and samples were cured for 7, 28, 56, and 90 days. Results showed that the combination of using crushed glass and PET fibers has a significant effect on compressive strength (i.e., 122%) and flexural beam test (56%) for 90 days of cured samples.

Enhancing flame retardancy and hydrolysis resistance of flame retardant copolyester fibers by reactive carbodiimide

Polyethylene terephthalate flame retardant copolyester (FRPET) copolymerized with 2-carboxyethyl (phenyl) phosphinic acid (CEPPA) is one of the major copolymerized commercial flame-retardant copolyesters. Similar to conventional PET fibers, the mechanical and flame retardant properties of FRPET fibers after alkaline water post-treatment are reduced. In this work, two kinds of carbodiimide-based masterbatches are added to FRPET fibers, the thermal processing stability, hydrolysis resistance and flame retardancy are significantly improved. The structural and physicochemical properties of the modified FRPET fibers were characterized. The processing thermal stability of FRPET is improved due to the reaction of the double bond structure in carbodiimide with the terminal carboxyl group of polyester to form an acyl urea structure. After melt extrusion, the viscosity reduction of the modified FRPET fiber is only 1.6 %, which is about 10 times lower compared to that of FRPET (17.6 %). After being treated with 50 g/L NaOH solution at 95 °C for 1 h, the tensile strength retention rates of the modified FRPET fibers are over 85.0 %, which is much higher than that of FRPET fibers (71.8 %), showing excellent hydrolysis resistance. In addition, the vertical burning performance of the modified FRPET fibers is improved from V-2 to V-0, and the limiting oxygen index could still reach 25.6 %. Besides that, the mechanism of the combustion process is further discussed.

Experimental Investigation of Effect of Waste PET fibres on the Impact Behaviour of PET Fibre Reinforced Concrete

&lt;p&gt;Concrete, being the construction material that is extensively employed, possesses various limitations despite its adaptability in building projects. It exhibits weakness when subjected to tension, has restricted ductility, and offers minimal resistance against cracking. Concrete is widely used in construction due to its high strength. The aim of this study is to conduct experimental research on the utilization of PET fibre as a construction material in concrete, which is technically sound and environmentally safe. The use of PET fibre in various engineering applications can solve the problem of disposal of plastic waste. PET fibre can be used in concrete to improve its ductile parameters. PET wires of 50 mm in length and 3 mm in width are used in this work. The tests conducted on M30 grade concrete included assessments of its strength in compression, strength in split tensile, strength in flexure, and resistance to impact. The percentages of addition were 0 %, 0.25 % and 0.5 % density of fibre. The impact properties of PET fibre concrete were studied. Test results showed that there is improvement in compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and a significant increase in impact resistance of concrete after the addition of PET fibres.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;

Comparing the financial costs and carbon neutrality of polyester fibres produced from 100% bio-based PET, 100% recycled PET, or in combination

AbstractThe rise of fast fashion has led to challenges in sustainable production and recycling of polyester textile waste. Bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) and the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET textiles may offer two solutions for bio and circular clothing. This study designed and simulated scaled enzymatic hydrolysis of fossil PET into ethylene glycol (r-EG) and purified terephthalic acid (r-PTA), the production of bio-EG and bio-PTA from the wheat straw ethanol (EtOH) and corn stover isobutene (IBN), respectively, and the production of PET polyester textile fibres from these monomers. The research goal was to determine whether bio-PET, r-PET, or their mixture achieves better positive profitability and NPV2023 and carbon neutrality in textile fibres. The financial returns and carbon emissions for r-PET fibres with a bio-PET content of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% to 100% was estimated for scenario 1 (a newly constructed plant), scenario 2 (no capital costs for the EtOH or IBN processes), and scenario 3 (no capital costs for the EtOH, IBN, and enzymatic hydrolysis processes). While scenario 1 was not able to generate positive net profits or NPV2023, scenarios 2 and 3 were able to attain financial sustainability when the bio-PET content was ≤ 40%. On the other hand, increasing the amount of bio-PET content in the polyester fibre from 0 to 100 wt.% decreased its carbon footprint from 2.99 to 0.46 kg CO2eq./kg of PET fibre.

Evaluation of the Mechanical Performance of Concrete Reinforced with PET Fibers: A Sustainable Approach

Most of the bottles manufactured with PET polymer (polyethylene terephthalate) are used in beverage packaging and, after use, are turned into garbage, causing environmental problems. The concept of recycling and reuse of these materials for use in civil construction can become an interesting solution for the reduction of urban solid waste that would be destined to the formation of large volumes in sanitary landfills. Seeking to minimize this problem, this work used discarded PET bottles, ground into fibers, to prepare a concrete-based composite. The behavior of concrete composites with the addition of PET fibers in different compositions 7.5 kg/m³, 10 kg/m³ and 12.5 kg/m³ was evaluated. The choice of these concentrations aimed to study the addition of a reasonable amount of PET, characterizing greater reuse of a recycled material, seeking to provide a reinforcement effect in the cementitious matrix. The samples were subjected to mechanical tests of axial compression and diametral compression in a duly calibrated hydraulic press. For the axial compression test, the composite with 10 kg/m³ showed better mechanical performance. Probably at this content, the fibers were better distributed in the concrete for axial compression, resisting more to the fracture point, surpassing the composite of 12.5 kg/m³ by 24% in resistance to compression. For the axial compression test, the composite with 10 kg/m³ showed better mechanical performance, because in this composition there was an ideal amount for the homogenization of the PET fibers in the concrete, achieving a greater reinforcement effect. For the permeability test, the composites prepared with higher percentages of PET showed a lower percentage of permeability (44% lower than the content of 7.5 kg/m³), absorbing less water in this composition, in an axial position. This can be attributed to the fact that the distributed PET fibers act as an impermeable barrier, offering greater resistance to water absorption in the material.

Engineering properties of self-compacting concrete incorporating PET fibres and recycled fine concrete aggregates

Concrete is currently the most frequently used material in the building sector due to its favourable properties. However, the proliferation of waste poses a significant environmental problem. Over the past three decades, researchers have explored the use of construction and demolition waste (CDW) as well as plastic waste as aggregates, binders, and fibres in construction materials. This approach has emerged as a notable solution to address environmental and economic challenges. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of polyethylene terephthalate fibres (PETF) on the behaviour of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with recycled fine concrete aggregates (RFCA). Natural fine aggregates (NFA) were used as a substitute for RFCA at different mass fractions (0–100%). Additionally, four volumetric fractions (Vf) of PETF (ranging from 0.3% to 1.2%) were added, and the findings revealed an improvement in the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of the composite material obtained. However, as the Vf content of PET fibres and RFCA increased, the compressive strength decreased, negatively affecting water absorption by immersion and capillary water absorption. Using 100% RFCA and 1.2% PETF enhanced the modulus of elasticity and flexural strength of recycled self-compacting concrete (RSCC) by up to 25% and 9%, respectively.

Impact of Microplastic on Freshwater Sediment Biogeochemistry and Microbial Communities Is Polymer Specific

Plastic debris is a growing threat in freshwater ecosystems and transport models predict that many plastics will sink to the benthos. Among the most common plastics found in the Laurentian Great Lakes sediments are polyethylene terephthalate (especially fibers; PET), polyvinylchloride (particles; PVC), and styrene-butadiene rubber resulting from tire wear (“crumb rubber”; SBR). These materials vary substantially in physical and chemical properties, and their impacts on benthic biogeochemistry and microbial community structure and function are largely unknown. We used a microcosm approach to evaluate the impact of these three plastics on benthic-pelagic coupling, sediment properties, and sediment microbial community structure and function using sediments from Irondequoit Bay, a major embayment of Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York, USA. Benthic metabolism and nitrogen and phosphorous cycling were all uniquely impacted by the different polymers. PET fibers and PVC particles demonstrated the most unique effects, with decreased ecosystem metabolism in sediments containing PET and greater nutrient uptake in sediments with PVC. Microbial diversity was reduced in all treatments containing plastic, but SBR had the most substantial impact on microbial community function, increasing the relative importance of metabolic pathways such as hydrocarbon degradation and sulfur metabolism. Our results suggest that individual polymers have unique impacts on the benthos, with divergent implications for ecosystem function. This provides deeper insight into the myriad ways plastic pollution may impact aquatic ecosystems and will help to inform risk assessment and policy interventions by highlighting which materials pose the greatest risk.

Comparative analysis of environmental, social, and mechanical aspects of high-performance concrete with calcium oxide-activated slag reinforced with basalt, and recycled PET fibers

This paper studied the effects of steel, basalt, and recycled PET fibers on the environmental, social, and mechanical properties of high-performance concrete (HPC) with calcium oxide-activated slag (HPC-CAS). The energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and human health impacts of concrete production were determined using resources, climate change, and human health indexes. The compressive strength, tensile and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, electrical resistance, and durability of HPC-CAS with different fiber types and contents were also measured and determined. Furthermore, the microstructure of HPC-CAS was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results revealed that 3 % recycled PET or basalt fibers increased the HPC-CAS tensile strength by 89 % and 55 %, respectively, and the flexural strength by 28 % % and 1.2 times, respectively, compared to specimens without fibers. The specimens with fibers also showed higher ductility and lower electrical resistance than those without fibers. The SEM analysis showed that basalt fibers had a better bond with the geopolymer matrix than recycled PET fibers. Basalt fibers had the lowest environmental impact and recycled PET fibers had the lowest social impact among the three types of fibers. However, recycled PET fibers also had lower mechanical performance and durability than basalt fibers. It was concluded, therefore, that the choice of fiber type for HPC-CAS depends on the balance between social, environmental, and technical criteria.

Preparation of flame retardant and anti-dripping PET fabric based on sodium copper chlorophyllin dyeing, UV grafting and phosphorylation

The traditional flame retardant polyester fiber containing phosphorus has serious melt droplet phenomenon, and its flame retardancy will be greatly decreased after dyeing, which seriously restricts its wide application. To address the issue, PET fibers were dyed by sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) at high temperature to prepare dyed PET fibers (DPET) with dyeing and anti-dripping properties. To further improve the flame retardancy of DPET, N-hydroxymethylacrylamide (NMA) was UV-grafted to DPET (DPET-g-NMA), which was then chemically modified by diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) through high-temperature esterification reaction to obtain flame retardant PET fibers (FR-PET). The results showed that the char-forming ability of FR-PET was higher than that of DPET, and the melt droplet was effectively suppressed. In addition, the heat release rate (HRR), the peak of heat release rate (PHRR), and the total smoke production (TSP) of FR-PET were all significantly reduced, showing good flame retardancy. This work developed a simple and green strategy to improve the flame retardancy and anti-dripping performance of PET fiber without subsequent dyeing, showing great application prospects.

Antibacterial properties of enzymatically treated PET fibers functionalized by nitric oxide

At present, microbes have enormous potential to become a major global public health issue. For example, Escherichia coli is the prominent cause of cholecystitis, urinary tract infections, and other infections. Due to its outstanding antibacterial properties, nitric oxide (NO) is essential for biological processes. Additionally, enzymatic hydrolysis using polyethylene terephthalate hydrolase (PETase) is one of the promising methods for PET upcycling. First, recombinant PETase was used to enzymatically treat waste PET fibers, and polyethylenimine (PEI) was added as a secondary amine donor. Subsequently, the aminated PET fiber was inserted into a reactor charged with NO gas (10 atm, 3 days) to obtain N-diazeniumdiolate (NONOate) products that can inhibit bacteria growth. In this study, the first strategy for antibacterial applications by NO-releasing PETase-hydrolyzed PET fibers was demonstrated. NO-conjugated PET fibers were successfully prepared which exhibits a continuous NO release profile over 12 h. The surface properties of functionalized PET fibers were successfully confirmed by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Griess assay. The antibacterial test indicated a reduction of Escherichia coli by 90.2% and Staphylococcus aureus by 71.1% after exposure to the functionalized material. Therefore, this novel antibacterial agent may offer great potential applications in the medical field.