Effect of gamma irradiation on the thermal and dyeing properties of blends based on waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends

The effect of gamma irradiation on the properties of virgin, waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and their blends was characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The dye affinity for disperse dyes of the different PET polymers, before and after gamma irradiation was also studied. The results showed that the thermal stability of virgin, waste PET, and their blends was improved after gamma irradiation. The dye affinity for the disperse dye in terms of color intensity was improved after the exposure to gamma irradiation. The dye ability with disperse dye, in terms of color intensity (ΔE*), for virgin/waste PET (80/20%) blend, as an example, was improved by ~ 53 and 98% after the exposure to doses 30 and 50 kGy of gamma irradiation, respectively. In conclusion, the modification of waste PET or its blends with virgin PET by gamma irradiation may provide a practical method for the recycling to obtain useful products.