On Processing of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol for Sensory Applications

Owing to its various advantages, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) has been employed in a broad spectrum of applications, including the packing of foodstuff, biomedical devices, containers, 3D printing, etc., which has led to it being a contributor to waste (both domestic and commercial). Several studies have recently been reported on PETG waste recycling, but little has been reported on processing PETG waste for sensory applications. This study highlights the processing of waste PETG for 3D printing of sensors supported by mechanical, thermal, rheological, and mechanical characterization. The process started with collecting waste PETG, mechanical segregation, crushing, and melting at 250 °C. To ensure recyclability for sensor fabrication, mechanical, rheological, thermal, Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed. The results suggest that Young’s modulus (E) increased by 42.8% from 0.586 GPa to 0.737 GPa, and porosity decreased from 26.54 to 19.19% in 04 processing cycles. No considerable change in the glass transition temperature (Tg) was noticed, and the flowability of PETG was increased by 186.98% in 04 processing cycles. A continuous decrease in the absorption intensity of C = O at wave number (WN)1700 cm^− 1 has been observed in recycled PETG. For sensory applications, the resistance of recycled PETG was increased in every processing cycle, which may be suitable for ascertaining the change in the charge-carrying capacity of the materials. Finally, after the fourth cycle, a 113.29% increase was observed.