Upcycling old clothes into a superhydrophobic coating

Most of our clothing contains polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, a common form of plastic. Recouping PET fibers from discarded clothing, however, can be costly and toxic, often releasing forever chemicals found in the fabric. But researchers have developed a sustainable way to upcycle textile waste by directly incorporating clothing scraps into a synthesis for metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs). The PET-to-MOF pipeline is not a new area of study, but a typical MOF synthesis can require very high heat, very high pressure and harsh solvents. This new synthetic pathway can be done at room temperature with eco-friendly solvents. It also turns the MOF superhydrophobic. This well-known MOF, UiO-66, is typically a brittle, hydrophilic substance. But spandex fibers in the fabric functionalize UiO-66 to be completely water resistant. This results in a waterproof coating that can adhere to textiles. Since most waterproofing methods rely on fluorinated chemicals, which are harmful to both the environment and humans, this work provides a sustainable way to create MOF-based, waterproof coatings and to give old clothing a new life.

Video credits are available on YouTube.

Source article: 
“UiO-66 Inspired Superhydrophobic Coatings Fabricated from Discarded Polyester/Spandex Textiles”
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Corresponding author: Juan P. Hinestroza, Ph.D.

Transcript

Scientists just figured out how to turn a stretchy T-shirt into this: a classic metal-organic-framework or MOF. MOFs are architectural wonders of the chemistry world, formed by metal ions linked together into large crystals. And they can be used for everything from safely storing hydrogen gas to capturing drinking water out of thin air. MOFs are typically made with really high heat, really high pressure and potentially dangerous solvents. These researchers used eco-friendly solvents and discarded T-shirt scraps to make MOFs at room temperature. Polyester fibers provide the molecules that link the metal ions, and spandex fibers turn the MOF superhydrophobic, creating a waterproof coating that adheres to textiles. Most of our clothing contains these stretchy plastic fibers, but many recycling methods pose the risk of releasing forever chemicals into the environment. This work presents a new way to turn plastic fibers into metal-organic-frameworks, and to upcycle old clothes without releasing forever chemicals.