The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited

Carol Sze Ki Lin

Yunzi Hu

Walid Daoud

Shao-Yuan Leu

Chi Shun Yeung

Houde Jing

Disclosed are methods for processing cotton containing textile waste that include alkaline pretreatment at freezing temperatures and a regeneration process. The method enhances cellulose digestion of the cotton to glucose and produces a solution containing glucose. In some aspects of the disclosed methods, the conversion yield of cotton to glucose can be as high as 80% or even 90%.

Textile waste processing

The present invention relates to a method for the catalytic synthesis of lactide from lactic acid. The method relates to the synthesis of lactide from lactic acid under the catalysis of a zinc oxide nanoparticle aqueous dispersion as a catalyst. The present invention has four technical characteristics: I. the zinc oxide nanoparticle aqueous dispersion catalyst has a sufficient surface area, and the size of nanoparticles is merely 30-40 nm, providing a sufficient contact area between the substrate (lactic acid) and the catalyst; II. the new catalyst has a milder catalytic effect on polymerization, allowing the molecular weight distribution of a prepolymer within a range of 400-1500 g/mol, which is advantageous for depolymerization to proceed; III. the new catalyst is stable, thus avoiding oxidation or carbonization in a high temperature reaction; and IV. the new catalyst has a low toxicity and a small threat to human health.

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Kowloon, China

Carol Sze Ki Lin