Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
10:53
Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
14.5K
Selective Elastane Removal Using DMSO-DBN Under Moderate Temperatures: From Pure Filaments to Cotton/Polyester Blends
Tiago Azevedo1, Ana Catarina Silva1, Diego M Chaves1
1Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.
Polymers
|December 31, 2025
Summary
Dimethyl sulfoxide with a catalyst efficiently degrades elastane in textile blends. This selective removal aids fibre-to-fibre recycling by improving material quality and enabling circular textile manufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Textile Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Manufacturing
Background:
- Selective elastane removal is crucial for effective fibre-to-fibre recycling.
- Elastane presence hinders mechanical recycling processes and limits recovered fibre applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent for elastane degradation.
- To evaluate the catalytic effect of 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) on elastane removal.
- To assess the feasibility of this method for textile waste recycling.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of elastane and textile blends with DMSO at varying temperatures (80-120 °C) and times (10-60 min).
- Use of DBN as an organic base catalyst (0.1% v/v).
- Analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile testing, and dimensional analysis.
Main Results:
- DMSO alone achieved partial elastane mass loss (up to 79%).
- The DMSO-DBN system enabled near-complete to complete elastane mass loss (81-100%) under mild conditions.
- Treated cotton/elastane and polyester/elastane blends showed significant dimensional relaxation and preserved fibre integrity.
Conclusions:
- The DMSO-DBN system offers an energy-efficient and scalable method for selective elastane degradation.
- This approach supports fibre-to-fibre recycling and advances circular economy principles in textiles.
- The method effectively removes elastane while maintaining the quality of other textile fibres.
