Electrokinetic properties of polyformaldehyde fibers

Abstract

AbstractElectrokinetic properties, namely, zeta potential (ζ), surface charge density (σ), and surface conductivity (Ks) of polyformaldehyde fibers [poly(oxymethylene) fibers] have been studied in the presence of direct dyes, with or without surfactants and an electrolyte. The anionic dyes increased the negative zeta potential of fibers. The increase in ζ was found to be a function of concentration and basicity of the dye in the streaming solution. Thus, the tetrabasic dye gave higher value of negative ζ than the equivalent concentration of the dibasic dye. The cationic surfactant brought about a decrease in negative ζ, giving a point of inflection, while the anionic surfactant increased it. The nonionic surfactant brought about a certain reduction in negative ζ, but failed to give a point of inflection. In the presence of a direct dye, the cationic surfactant brought about considerable reduction in negative ζ, to give a point of inflection. The presence of an electrolyte in the streaming dye solution progressively lowered the negative ζ. In general, σ increased with the increase in the concentration of either a dye or an electrolyte in the presence of a given concentration of the dye in the streaming solution. Results on Ks indicated that the surface conductivity of the fibers is a function of concentration of dye, surfactant, and electrolyte. It was, however, observed to be independent of the nature of the surfactant. Although both the dibasic and tetrabasic direct dyes brought about an increase in Ks, the extent of increase was dependent upon the basicity of the molecules.