Preparing Cotton Nonwoven Fabrics at Low Temperatures Using Hydrogen Peroxide Activated with Sodium Persulphate

Abstract

A low temperature (25-45°C) bleaching process for a cotton patterned nonwoven fabric has been established using hydrogen peroxide activated with sodium persulphate. The combined scouring and alkaline peroxide bleaching treatment was done using a laboratory scale pad-batch kier model. Detailed laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the effects of hydrogen peroxide concentration, time required for bleach ing, and temperature of the bleaching bath on the measured property of whiteness. The whiteness values of the bleached fabrics were compared to values obtained for the same fabric prepared using conventional high temperature (250°C), high pressure shock bleach. A three-variable statistical regression technique with whiteness as the response factor was used to analyze the data. Surface diagrams were drawn and the optimum conditions determined for low temperature bleaching with respect to hy drogen peroxide concentration, time, and temperature.