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

Abstract

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.