3 - Probes for pH measurement and simultaneous cellulose removal and bleaching of textiles with enzymes

Abstract

This chapter examines various probes for pH measurement such as ion-selective and glass-membrane electrodes as well as simultaneous cellulose removal and bleaching of textiles with enzymes. Ion-selective electrodes belong to the group of potentiometric methods. Many electrode systems, partly well-known, partly in development and under investigation, show a Nernstian relationship between the measured electrode potential and the activity of a species in solution. Important conditions to be fulfilled for the development of ion-selective electrodes are the affinity of a membrane surface for a typical ion or molecule and minimum ion conductivity over the membrane. If possible, but not necessarily, these conditions should be fulfilled at room temperature. The chapter describes a method to remove simultaneously cellulose and bleach fiber products in the same bath with an acidic medium. An account is also given of a sensor system for measuring and controlling the hydrogen peroxide concentration.