Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate) for High Temperature Solvent Resistant Membranes

Abstract

Porous membranes of recycled poly­(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared by nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and evaluated for the first time for the filtration in high temperature solvents and other harsh environments. The PET was recycled from commercial water bottles. The morphology, pore size, and pore density were optimized by varying the composition of the polymer concentration in the casting solution, the solvent, and the nonsolvent bath in conditions of controlled humidity and temperature. Poly­(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of 0.2 and 1 kg mol–1 was used as an additive and pore inducing agent. The filtration performance of the membranes was tested under different solvents and temperatures. The obtained PET membranes were successfully applied for ultrafiltration with a MWCO of 40 kg mol–1 in dimethylformamide (DMF) at temperatures up to 100 °C. PET membranes were found to be resistant to a wide variety of solvents as well as in chlorine and acid medium. They could be used as porous support for thin-film composite membranes and for different applications requiring high chemical and heat resistance.

Hydrophobic thin film composite nanofiltration membranes derived solely from sustainable sources

“…1a. The support was previously optimized for membrane separations [20]. The pyrogallol groups of TA were converted to quinone moieties, under weak alkaline conditions, allowing a rapid reaction with the amine groups of priamine, via Schiffbase and Michael-addition reactions, finally resulting in the formation of imine (C=N) and amine (CNH) groups, respectively (Fig.…”

“…1a). A recycled PET porous support [20] with an area of approx. 50 cm 2 was immersed in 50 mL of a 0.1 mmol/v% aqueous TA solution for 5 min at laboratory temperature (211 C).…”

“…Waste upcycling is gaining attention as a sustainable methodology, giving a second life to waste materials that can minimize the environmental burden of various industries [18,19]. For example, used plastic bottles made of hydrophobic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be recycled into a porous support [20], and used for the interfacial polymerization to obtain the priamine-TA selective layer. Interfacial polymerizations are generally performed in toxic, petrochemical-based solvents such as toluene and hexane.…”

Thin-Film Composite Nanofiltration Membranes for Non-Polar Solvents

“…Polysulfone (PSF) [14] Polyethersulfone (PES) [20] Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) [22] Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) [25] Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) [27] Polyethylene (PE) [30] Polypropylene (PP) [31] Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [34] [14]…”

Homogeneous Composite Nonwoven Support for High Temperature‐Resistant Separation Membranes

“…[ 20 ] However, less studies have focused on the fabric support used for high temperature‐resistant separation membranes, among which, aiming at nanofiltration, the PET membranes prepared from recycled PET by nonsolvent‐induced phase separation have high resistance to chemical and temperature and hence is promising for UF or as support for further modification. [ 21,22 ]…”