A circular approach to discarded textiles: using depolymerized polyester as a precursor for the synthesis of antibacterial Cu(bdc) metal–organic frameworks

Abstract

We report on the synthesis of Cu(bdc) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) using discarded polyester fabrics as a raw material and on the evaluation of these MOFs as antibacterial coatings. Discarded PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fabrics, of diverse colors, went through ethanolysis to produce disodium terephthalate, which after further treatment with hydrochloric acid yielded high-purity terephthalic acid. We used a solvothermal method to convert this terephthalic acid and copper nitrate into a Cu(bdc) metal–organic framework. The resulting Cu(bdc) MOFs were used to coat pristine polyester fabrics and the antibacterial activity of the coated fabrics against Escherichia coli was evaluated using ASTM2149-13a method. We used 1H-NMR and FTIR spectroscopy to confirm the chemical transformation from discard PET fibers to terephtalic acid, and XRD, SEM, dynamic light scattering, and FTIR to confirm the synthesis of the Cu(bdc) MOF. This study demonstrates the potential use of recycled textiles as raw materials to produce value-added compounds and how this process may enable a more circular approach for the textile industry