One-pot high efficiency low temperature ultrasonic-assisted strategy for fully bio-based coloristic, anti-pilling, antistatic, bioactive and reinforced cashmere using grape seed proanthocyanidins

Abstract

The integration of cleaner production technology and bio-based materials is welcomed to achieve a sustainable textile processing. This study introduces a one-step high efficiency and low temperature ultrasonic-assisted strategy for fully bio-based coloristic and functional cashmere using grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) - a considerably generated winemaking by-product. The ultrasonic efficiency and adsorption mechanism under ultrasound were explored through an in-depth statistical analysis using kinetics and isotherms adsorption models. The coloristic, anti-pilling, antistatic, mechanical and bioactive properties of GSPs treated cashmere fabric were investigated. Results revealed that the adsorption of GSPs on cashmere under ultrasound was an endothermic process obeying the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The adsorption efficiency was significantly enhanced via ultrasonic technology by 56% at 60 °C and 101% at 80 °C, which is beneficial to the reduction of processing time and energy consumption. The adsorption of GSPs to cashmere was driven by ionic bond, hydrogen bond and van der Waals force confirmed by virtue of Sips and Langmuir models. These multiple bindings contributes to a good colour fastness, reflected by a marginal colour depth decrease (<10%) after 20 washing cycles. The pilling grade of cashmere after treatment rose above level 4 due to the inhibition of fibres’ entanglement rising from the increased fibre surface smoothness. The half-life periods reduced from 3.2s to lower than 0.5s at 65% relative humidity owing to the improved hydrophilicity of cashmere after treatment. The dramatically enhanced anti-pilling and antistatic performances were well retained against repeated washings. GSPs treated cashmere also displayed enhanced tensile strength, high bacterial reduction rate (95% against Escherichia coli and 92% against Staphylococcus aureus), and strong free radical scavenging capability. In general, the one-step multi-objectives ultrasonic process for fully bio-based textile developed in this research contributes to the sustainable development of textile industry.