Waterproof coating is made from upcycled textile waste
October 9, 2024 – Scientists at Cornell University in the United States have developed a new technique to create a waterproof coating for clothing using discarded textiles. According to Cornell, this coating is significantly safer for both humans and the environment compared to current products, which often contain harmful chemicals and carcinogens.
The material is based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and can be synthesized at room temperature using environmentally friendly solvents, such as water and ethanol. Additionally, the discarded textiles do not need to be separated or purified—both of which are energy-intensive processes.
The research was published in September this year in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces under the title ‘UiO-66 Inspired Superhydrophobic Coatings Fabricated from Discarded Polyester/Spandex Textiles.’
