Preparation of colored recycled polyethylene terephthalate nanofibers from waste bottles: Physicochemical studies

Abstract

In this study, polyethylene terephthalate-based waste drinking bottles have been used to develop colorful nanofibers via electrospinning. The recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) nanofibers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques and were explored for advanced colorful applications. To prepare colorful r-PET nanofibers, two different disperse dyes, C.I Disperse Blue 56 (DB-56) and C.I Disperse Red 167:1 (DR 167:1), were used by dope dyeing technique. The dope dyeing of r-PET nanofibers was optimized by determining the effects of different polymer concentrations (9%–15%) and dye concentrations (1%–7%). The proposed r-PET nanofibers offer many advantages such as good color fastness, good mechanical strength, save processing energy, and time compared to other conventional nanofibers.