Recyclable chemical-enzymatic hydrolysis cascade for the degradation and closed-loop recycling of blended fabrics

The annual increase in textile consumption has led to significant waste generation, resulting in severe environmental pollution and resource waste. Particularly for the most common polyester/cotton blended fabrics, the composition is intricate, and recycling is even more challenging. In this study, a recyclable chemical-enzymatic hydrolysis cascade was developed to degrade and achieve closed-loop recycling of blended fabrics. The recyclable organic acid, p -toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH), was employed as a catalyst for hydrothermal treatment. A low concentration (0.5 %) of TsOH efficiently broke down cotton fibers under mild conditions, achieving a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) conversion rate of over 70 %. The separated polyester fibers were hydrolyzed into monomers by PET hydrolase, achieving a maximum specific space–time yield of 149.6 g TPAeq. L –1 h −1 g enzyme –1 . For blended fabrics with varying proportions, this process exhibits high degradation efficiency and generates no secondary pollution, providing a potential route for the industrialization of textile waste closed-loop recycling.