Composite textile-plastic cotton jacket subjected to enzymatic degradation over a 48-hour period.
Comparison between standard PETase-X1 and enhanced PETase-X1-PLUS variants.
Continuous monitoring at 0h, 4h, 8h, 16h, 24h, 36h, and 48h intervals.
Degradation Analysis
Visual and structural breakdown over time
Key Observations
1Rapid Onset (X1-PLUS)
X1-PLUS initiates visible degradation as early as 4-8 hours, showing surface whitening and localized thinning, whereas X1 remains largely intact during this phase.
2Critical Window (16h-24h)
The most dramatic divergence occurs between 16-24 hours. X1-PLUS causes severe wrinkling, shrinkage, and deformation, while X1 only exhibits edge roughening.
3Terminal State (48h)
By 48 hours, X1-PLUS treated fabric is brittle and easily torn (15-25% integrity). In contrast, X1 samples retain basic morphology despite reduced strength (50-60% integrity).