Performance of a new cationic bleach activator on a hydrogen peroxide bleaching system

Abstract

The performance of a cationic bleach activator, N‐[4‐(triethylammoniomethyl)benzoyl]caprolactam chloride, was evaluated in a hot peroxide bleaching process. The effect of time, temperature and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and activator on the bleaching of cotton fabric was investigated using a central composite experimental design. Temperature was found to be the most significant parameter. By adding the cationic activator it was possible to achieve a level of whiteness comparable to a typical commercial bleaching system but under relatively mild conditions of time and temperature. As a consequence, chemical damage to the fabric could be reduced. The effect of the cationic bleach activator was compared to that of an anionic activator, nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate. The cationic activator was superior to the anionic activator in bleaching the fabric under the optimised conditions used in the study. Received: 13 January 2004, Accepted: 10 March 2004