Textile recycling via ionic liquids

Abstract

Textile waste is a global problem, as it comprises a significant portion of landfill mass. Textile demand is increasing, which places demands on agriculture to produce more cotton. Industry standards of spinning and dyeing cotton fibers is hazardous and consumes large amounts of energy. The viscose method of wet spinning is the most common industry method, and uses large amounts of water, time and energy. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to dissolve organic matter such as cellulose fibers and have shown promise in separating waste polymer-cellulose textile blends. When the cellulose concentration is high enough, the IL-cellulose solution can be wet spun, producing recycled fibers. The remaining polymer fibers can also be respun and possess characteristics competitive to virgin polyester fibers. The process has been shown to preserve dyes, if desired, or remove the original coloring and produce neutral fibers, relieving industry strain in the dyeing process and saving time, water, and energy.