Influence of blending functional polymers and radiation synthesized copolymers on the recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

As a method of recycling, post-consumer waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (WPET) was upgraded through blending with low ratios (5–10 %) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). WPET was also blended with radiation synthesized copolymers based on maleic anhydride (MAN) with methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (Sty) and vinyl acetate (VAc) monomers. The thermal stability of the different WPET blends was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), whereas the dyeability of the different WPET blends was evaluated by dyeing with the classic disperse and basic dyes. The results showed that the blending of WPET with polymers or copolymers ended with modified blends with improved thermal stability and dyeability with basic and disperse dyes compared to non-treated WPET. In this regard, the colour intensity of WPET blended with 10 % of PMMA polymer and MAN/VAc copolymer and dyed with the disperse dye was increased by 74% and 57 %, respectively. For the same blends but dyed with basic dyes, the colour intensity was increased by 483% and 733 %, respectively. Based on the results achieved, it can be concluded that the blending of WPET with pure polymers or copolymers may be considered a practical method of waste PET recycling.