PET as Ligand Source
Depolymerized PET becomes the Terephthalate (BDC) ligand for MOF synthesis.
Sustainable Technology
Integrated strategies focused on circular approach, biomass utilization, and responsible process.
From PET Waste to MOF, Environmental Purifier
- An integrated recycling method for dyed PET textiles allows the recovery of monomeric compounds, dyes, and side-products of the PET depolymerization process.
- Recovered materials are used to synthesize MIL-88B(Fe) metal-organic framework. Recovered dye is recyclable.
Value-Added Upcycling
A Sustainable Framework for Advancing Circular Practices for Polyethylene Terephthalate Textiles: Optimized Recycling of Depolymerization Products and LCA Validation. RSC advances (2025).
Recycling Hard-to-Recycle, Blended Textiles
We develop a sustainable upcycling strategy to transform hard-to-recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/cotton blended fabrics into copper-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (Cu-BDC) functionalized textiles, redefining both fiber components as value-added material for environmental applications.
Cotton as Scaffold
Mercerized cotton serves as a robust structural matrix for in situ MOF growth.
Sustainable upcycling of difficult-to-recycle PET/cotton fabrics into acid-modulated Cu-BDC adsorbents with morphology-driven gas selectivity. Sustainable Materials and Technologies (2026)
Integrated Upcycling Process
i. Selective PET depolymerization
Alkaline hydrolysis (NaOH/EtOH/H₂O) targets the PET fraction, converting it into soluble Na₂BDC ligands with 95% efficiency.
Simultaneously, the cotton fabric undergoes mercerization, activating its surface for functionalization.
ii. In-situ MOF Growth
The Na₂BDC-coated cotton is treated with Copper Acetate.
This triggers rapid coordination, growing Cu-BDC crystals directly on the fibers (up to 43.1 wt% loading).
Sustainable upcycling of difficult-to-recycle PET/cotton fabrics into acid-modulated Cu-BDC adsorbents with morphology-driven gas selectivity. Sustainable Materials and Technologies (2026)