Regenerated cellulose-based composite strengthened with post-consumer polyester garments

Polyester garments have an extensive availability nowadays. However, most post-consumer garments are burned and landfilled, leading to extreme pollution and significant waste of resources. Therefore, sustainably and economically recycling this post-consumer polyester (PCP) fabric waste for essential value-added products is meaningful and necessary. In this study, waste polyester fabrics obtained from PCP garments have been utilized in the development of composite materials. First, PCP fabric was dissolved in a methanol and sodium hydroxide solution. Then, the polyester paste was regenerated on regenerated cellulose-based fabric (viscose), constructing a viscose-based composite. The physical, thermal, chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties were examined for the viscose and viscose-polyester (VP) composites. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and percent add-on confirmed the presence of polyester in the composite. In addition, an add-on percentage of 10.71, higher crystallinity of 55.20%, thermal stability, and about 21% higher tensile strength were observed. The results, as mentioned above, ensured that the PCP waste can be used as a matrix for composite materials.