Bleached Cotton Fabric Research Articles

Multi-response Optimization in the Development of a Superhydrophobic Cotton Fabric Using ZnO Nanoparticles Mediated Resin Finish under Taguchi Based Grey Relational Analysis and Fuzzy Logics Approaches

Present work investigates multi-response optimization in development of super-oleohydrophobic cotton fabric under pad-dry-cure method. A bleached cotton fabric was treated with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated oil and water repellent finish (Oleophobol CP-C®) to impart in it antibacterial activity, UV protection and super oleo/hydrophobicity. Taguchi based fuzzy logics and grey relational analytical techniques were employed to obtain simultaneous optimum settings of input parameters including concentrations of ZnO NPs, O-CPC® finish and Knittex FEL®, and curing temperature for multiple responses. The fuzzy logics and grey relational analysis were employed on the experimental data to determine significant process parameters for optimization of multiple responses. The present set of techniques was effectively used to develop super-hydrophobic (WCA: 162 °) and oleophobic (OCA: 140 °) cotton fabric along with appropriate textile properties as reported in the text. The developed fabric has potential uses in various domestic and house-hold applications due to its antibacterial, self-cleaning, non-staining and UV-protection properties.

Nanocellulose from recycled indigo-dyed denim fabric and its application in composite films

In this study, nanocellulose was extracted from indigo-dyed denim fabric and the resultant nanocellulose properties were evaluated in comparison with those derived from bleached cotton fabric and wood pulp in order to investigate the potential of recycling denim waste for nanocellulose production and application. Sulfuric acid hydrolysis and (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl) oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidation were utilized to produce cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofibers (TOCN), respectively. A stable CNC suspension with blue color was obtained after acid hydrolysis and the TEMPO process yielded colorless TOCN. The denim-derived nanocellulose possessed similar yield, morphology, size, crystallinity, and thermal stability to those derived from bleached cotton but higher crystallinity and thermal stability compared to the nanocellulose from wood pulp. When used to reinforce polyvinyl alcohol film, the blue indigo-CNC not only enhanced mechanical properties of the film but also provided the film with outstanding UV blocking.

Effect of textile softeners on BTCA treated cotton fabric

The effect of two softeners (Sapamine ® OC and Ultratex ® ASG) on physical properties of BTCA finished cotton fabrichas been studied. Bleached cotton fabrics are treated with 1, 2, 3, 4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) followed byfinishing with a cationic and a silicone softener by conventional pad-dry-cure method. Properties, such as crease recoveryangle, absorbency, whiteness index, tensile strength, moisture regain, surface morphology and crystallinity of the finishedfabrics, have been evaluated. The crease recovery angle of the finished fabrics increases from 154° to 257° after treatmentwith BTCA and further increases to 266° after BTCA+silicone softener based finishing. The absorbency of cationic softenerfinished fabric is found to be higher than that of silicone softener finished fabrics. Tensile strength reduces after BTCAfinishing by more than 50%, and about 17% softeners is recovered. Scanning electron microscope images show smoothridges and surface characteristics of cotton fibres in BTCA treated samples as well as deposition of softener on the fibresurface in cationic and silicone softener finished fabrics.

An environmentally friendly bleaching process for cotton fabrics: mechanism and application of UV/H2O2 system

Hydroxyl radical is the main reactive species in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching of cotton fabrics. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the H2O2 bleaching system can efficiently produce hydroxyl radicals (HO·) under neutral or alkaline conditions, which were proven experimentally and theoretically by computational modeling. Various UV/H2O2 bleaching routes were screened to obtain desired whiteness index and acceptable bursting strength of the bleached fabrics. The optimal properties of the bleached cotton knitted fabric could be obtained at UV irradiation of 312 nm on the fabrics with a hydrogen peroxide solution under alkaline conditions.

A novel technique for direct reuse of wastewater in combining scouring and bleaching of cotton fabric

Wastewater generated from the conventional pretreatment process is having potential to reuse several times for pretreatment of subsequent batches without harming the fabric quality. As the major portion of water is used in textile pretreatment processes, in the present work a novel method was studied for direct reuse of wastewater in combining scouring and bleaching process. The wastewater generated by the conventional pretreatment was reused with and without mixing with freshwater. Simple technique like filtration with nylon mesh was also studied for its effects on efficiency of pretreatment. The pretreated fabrics were characterized using advanced techniques and further evaluated towards efficiency of scouring and bleaching. In order to evaluate the effect of novel pretreatment process involving reuse of wastewater on dyeability, the pretreated fabrics (using both conventional and novel methods) were further studied for dyeability using reactive dyes. The resulting wastewaters were characterized before reuse in novel method. The pretreated fabrics showed insignificant variations in strength and pretreatment efficiency. The dyeability of both fabrics towards reactive dyes was comparable. The volume of effluent generated was greatly reduced in novel method which showed a great promise to save 33% of water in pretreatment process of cotton fabric.

The Kinetic of Decolorizing Reactive Orange 122 (RO122) by Peracetic Acid in the Presence of Metal ions and UV Light

Abstract: The kinetic of decolorizing Reactive Orange 122 (RO122) by peracetic acid (PAA) in the presence of metal ionsand UV light at 24 ± 1oChas been studied in this research. All experiments were conducted in a 500 mL reactor in which concentrations of peracetic acid were applied in large excess comparingto reactive orange 122. Four metal ions were tested for catalytic activity including Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Fe3+. The effects of metal ion concentration and pH were evaluated for the ion having the highest activity. Conbination of PAA and UV light was also tested.In this study, the variation of the dye concentration was monitored by measuring light absorption at the maximum absorption wavelength of Reactive Orange 122 (at 493 nm). The obtained results showed that Co2+ion has the highest catalytic activity. The rate of decolorization increases as the concentration of Co2+ and pH increases. Under UV light irradiation, PAA exhibited higher activity comparing to H2O2. This phenomenon can be explained by weaker O-O linkage in PAA.
 Keywords
 Peracetic acid, reactive orange 122, kinetics, UV light.
 References
 [1] P. Krizman , F. Kovac, P. F. Tavcer, Bleaching of cotton fabric with peracetic acid in the presence of different activators, Color. Technol. 121 (2005) 304 - 309.[2] D. P. Barros, V. L. Silva, H. Hamalainen, J. L. Colodette, Effect of last stage bleaching with peracetic acid on brightness development and properties of eucalyptus pulp, Bioresource 5 (2) (2010) 881 - 898.[3] D. S. R. Gehr, T. A. Bartrand, L. Liberti, M. Notarnicola, A. Dell’Erba, D. Falsanisi, C. N. Haas, Wastewater Disinfection by Peracetic Acid:Assessment of Models for Tracking Residual Measurements and Inactivation, Water Environment Research 79 (7) (2007) 775 - 787. [4] M. Kitis, Disinfection of wastewater with peraceticacid: a review, Environment International 30 (2004) 47–55.[5] S. Bonetta, C. Pignata, E. Lorenzi, M. D. Ceglia,L. M., S. Bonetta, G. Gilli, E. Carraro, Peracetic Acid (PAA) Disinfection: Inactivation ofMicrobial Indicators and Pathogenic Bacteria ina Municipal Wastewater Plant, Water 9 (2017) 427 https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060427.[6] R. D. Bach, P. Y. Ayala, H. B. Schlegel, A Reassessment of the Bond Dissociation Energies ofPeroxides. An ab Initio Study, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 118 (1996) 12758-12765.[7] H. M. N. H. IrvingR. J. P. Williams, The stability of transition-metal complexes, J. Chem. Soc. (1953) 3192

Enzymatic desizing, bioscouring and enzymatic bleaching of cotton fabric with glucose oxidase

The sized cotton fabric was enzymatically desized, scoured and bleached with an enzyme mixture of starch degrading enzymes, pectinases and glucose oxidases (GOxs) was added to generate hydrogen peroxide (HP). In this study, enzyme selection and process optimisation was made in order to increase the glucose content of the desizing liquor of a starch-sized cotton fabric. The highest glucose concentration of 4175 mg/L was measured in one-bath containing mixture of α-amylase, amyloglucosidase and pectinase and GOx produced 758 mg/L peroxide. This combination was used in further bleaching processes. For bleaching, hydrogen peroxide was converted into peracetic acid (PAA) by incorporating the bleach activator tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED). Whiteness values, water absorbency, polymerization degree and tenacity at maximum load were measured on pre-treated samples. The total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), the biological degradability (BOD5/COD) and the final pH values were measured on residual pre-treatment baths.

Evaluation of colouration properties of newly synthesized curcumin derivatives

Background and objective Turmeric is a widely known spice that comes from the roots of the plant. Materials and methods Phenylpyridazine derivatives based on curcumin (Turmeric, Curcuma longa) were synthesized via diazotization of curcumin with appropriate aryl amine derivatives such as p-nitro aniline, p-amino benzoic acid and m-amino benzoic acid. The used fabrics were bleached poplin cotton fabric, mill scoured natural silk fabric and mill scoured pure wool fabric. Effects of mordant and fastness properties for treated fabric were evaluated. Results and conclusion The structure of the obtained diazonyl derivatives has been confirmed from their spectroscopic data (ultraviolet, IR and 1H-NMR). Comparable novel curcumin derivatives with curcumin have been investigated with and/or without simultaneous mordanting for natural fibres (cotton, silk and wool). A variety of colours have been obtained by using different mordants. The fastness properties of the dyed fabrics to washing and light fastness were improved.

Economical Low-Temperature Bleaching of Cotton Fabric Using an Activated Peroxide System Coupling Cupric Ions with Bicarbonate

Conventional cotton bleaching is highly energy-intensive, water-dependent, and textile-damaging. The technologies currently used to achieve low-temperature bleaching always include a conflict between effectiveness and cost. This study represents an economically efficient process for cotton bleaching with H2O2 at low temperature. A novel system that couples Cu2+ with HCO 3 − , has been developed to activate cotton bleaching. Factors that influence the bleaching performance were investigated, including the bleaching temperature and initial concentrations of the components (H2O2, NaHCO3 and Cu2+). The experimental results indicated that the Cu2+-HCO 3 − /H2O2 system had a lower operating cost and higher bleaching efficiency than conventional and TAED-activated systems. Additionally, the bleaching bath exhibited excellent reusability, further strengthening its feasibility for industrial applications. The results of HO• scavenging and Cu2+ monitoring experiments implied that the bleaching active species might be the Cu(III) species rather than HO•. This novel system provides a simple, effective, and cost-efficient method for practical bleaching.

Waterless bleaching of knitted cotton fabric using supercritical carbon dioxide fluid technology

Cotton fiber is the most widely produced and utilized natural fiber with a popular usage in our planet. A substantial amount of clean water is utilized during conventional cotton fiber pretreatment. In this study, we investigated the bleaching possibility of knitted cotton fabric by using supercritical carbon dioxide as a medium, as a cleaner waterless alternative, at pressures in the range of 180 and 250 bar and at temperatures ranging from 80 °C (at the pressure of 180 bar with 505 kg/m3) to 120 °C (at the pressure of 250 bar with 539 kg/m3) for 20 min with either solely hydrogen peroxide usage at 5% and 15% concentrations or combination usage of hydrogen peroxide with necessary related auxiliaries such as peroxide stabilizer at 1% and 8% concentrations and caustic soda at 3% concentration in comparison with conventional aqueous hydrogen peroxide bleaching process in order to support environmentally friendly, sustainable textile production leading to more sustainable future for our planet. Also, the effects of different washing types as after-treatment process following waterless and aqueous peroxide bleaching processes on the whiteness performance of cotton fabrics were also explored. Whiteness properties, moisture management performances, oxycellulose formation and FTIR (ATR) spectra of cotton fabrics bleached in aqueous and waterless supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) medium were determined and compared. In waterless scCO2 media, bleaching at 80 °C resulted in higher whiteness improvement than bleaching at 120 °C leading to whiter appearance. Bleaching of cotton cellulosic fiber at 80 °C for 20 min in scCO2 media displayed better whiteness results than conventional water based bleaching at 80 °C. The inclusion of caustic soda in waterless scCO2 hydrogen peroxide bleaching process resulted in significant decline on whiteness level of cotton for both 80 °C and 120 °C bleaching temperatures. When the aqueous conventional bleaching process and the anhydrous (waterless supercritical carbon dioxide fluid) bleaching process compared in the case of solely hydrogen peroxide usage at both 80 °C and 120 °C, waterless supercritical carbon dioxide fluid bleaching process (whether or not after-treated following the bleaching process) resulted in higher whiteness values leading to whiter appearance. Bleaching process with solely 5% and 15% hydrogen peroxide involvement in waterless supercritical carbon dioxide media at 80 °C for only 20 min and without any aqueous after clearing treatment led to approximately 30% and 51% whiteness improvement on cellulosic cotton fiber knitted fabric, respectively. There was no moisture management improvement trend due to caustic soda addition into peroxide bleaching process in waterless scCO2 media. The addition of after-treatment process (catalase enzyme treatment in water at 50 °C and then washed with water at 87 °C in company with wetting agent and rinsing in cold water) following peroxide bleaching in scCO2 media improved the moisture management properties of bleached cotton fabric. Although the bleaching process performed in scCO2 medium resulted in a higher oxidative activity than bleaching process performed in aqueous medium from the measured color yield values of oxycellulose formation evaluation, the consistency of the FTIR (ATR) spectra of the greige, hydrogen peroxide bleached in aqueous and waterless scCO2 media and bleached then after-treated cotton knitted fabrics displays that the respective bleaching process types in both aqueous and waterless scCO2 media had no drastic significant detrimental effect on the surface morphology of the cotton fiber. Consequently, successful waterless hydrogen peroxide bleaching can be carried out for cellulosic cotton fiber knitted fabric in supercritical carbon dioxide media.

Establishing a Rapid Pad-Steam Process for Bleaching of Cotton Fabric with an Activated Peroxide System

Bleaching of cotton fabric with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is conventionally carried out under high temperature and strong alkaline conditions, for which the pad-steam process can be employed to present the benefits in lowering water and chemical consumptions. A notable drawback observed with the pad-steam process for bleaching of cotton fabric with H2O2 is that, although the cotton fabric is bleached to an acceptable whiteness, it is required to dwell in steam for almost an hour, causing tremendous energy consumption as well as extensive damage to the cotton fibers. It has been found that an activated peroxide system can be formed with the addition of N-[4-(triethylammoniomethyl)benzoyl]caprolactam chloride (TBCC) to H2O2 solution to generate 4-(triethylammoniomethyl)perbenzoic acid (TPA), allowing the establishment of a rapid pad-steam process. Sodium citrate was selected as the desired alkali for use in the rapid pad-steam process to neutralize 4-(triethylammoniomethyl)benzoic acid (TBA) released from th...

A novel study of comparison properties of pigment and reactive dye-printed cotton fabric

ABSTRACTThis novel study emphasizes to compare the properties of 100% cotton fabric printed with pigments and reactive dyes. For this purpose, a bleached cotton fabric was printed in light, medium, and dark shades with pigments and reactive dyes. In terms of fabric comfort properties (stiffness, pilling resistance, crease recovery angle) and tensile strength particularly in deep shades, pigment printing has better results than reactive printing. However, with respect to fabric performance properties (surface friction and tear strength) and rubbing fastness, pigment-printed fabric was found inferior to reactive printed fabric. It was observed that reactive printed fabric exhibits better one way moisture-transmitting capability and overall moisture management capability. Reactive printed fabric exhibits better air permeability as compared to pigment printed fabric. Both reactive and pigment printing have comparable color fastness.

Bleaching of cotton fabric with tetraacetylhydrazine as bleach activator for H2O2

Tetraacetylhydrazine (TH) as bleach activator for H2O2 cotton bleaching was synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectra. TH has better solubility than that of TAED. The CIE whiteness index (WI), H2O2 decomposition rate and bursting strength were employed to investigate the performance of H2O2/TH bleaching system. By addition of TH, WI and H2O2 decomposition rate increased significantly at 70 °C. Bleaching temperature, NaHCO3 concentration and bleaching time were also discussed in detail and the loss of bursting strength is not clear. By using benzenepentacarboxylic acid (BA) as a fluorescent probe for hydroxyl radical detection, the bleaching process of H2O2/TH system was investigated. Acetylhydrazine and diacetylhydrazine were also utilized to further confirm the process. In addition, bimolecular decomposition was investigated by using 9,10-dimethylanthracene (DMA) as fluorescent probe of 1O2. Based on these experimental results, the bleaching mechanism of H2O2/TH system was proposed.

Absorption spectra of gelatin copper complexes and copper (II) sulfate and their impact on cotton peroxide bleaching

ABSTRACTA gelatin copper complex was synthesized with gelatin and copper (II) sulphate. The previous study had indicated that the gelatin copper complex could improve peroxide bleaching effectiveness of cotton in low-temperature. By measuring the spectra absorption abilities of gelatin, copper (II) sulphate and gelatin copper complex respectively, it proved that gelatin copper complex was formed. The catalytic bleaching effectiveness of H2O2/gelatin copper complex system and H2O2/copper (II) sulphate system were compared. The results show that the gelatin copper complex and copper (II) sulphate can catalyze hydrogen peroxide decomposition and improve the whiteness of bleached cotton. Whiteness and capillary effects of the cotton fabric bleached in H2O2/gelatin copper complex system and in H2O2/copper (II) sulphate system at 70℃ are close to the conventional high-temperature bleaching. Besides, the strength retention of the fabric bleached in H2O2/gelatin copper complex system at 70℃ is the biggest among the three samples. The strength retention of the fabric bleached in H2O2/copper (II) sulphate system at 70℃ is the smallest among the three samples. So gelatin copper complex is a more effective catalyst than copper (II) sulphate in low temperature peroxide bleaching of cotton fabric.

ANTI-BACTERIAL ACTIVITY STUDIES ON TEXTILE MODIFIED WITH SILVER METAL, COPPER, ZINC AND MAGNESIUM OXIDES NANOPARTICLES

The anti-bacterial characteristics of different nano-structured metal and metal oxides modified cotton fabrics were investigated. In this study, silver metal, copper, zinc and magnesium oxides have been supported on bleached cotton fabrics. Reduction, wet method, sol gel and precipitation methods were used in the preparation of the antibacterial nanoparticles (NPs). The preparation of the antibacterial-loaded cotton was carried out in-situ and ex-situ by pad dry methods. Formation of the supported nanoparticles was confirmed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy studies (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analyses. Antibacterial studies on the supported nanoparticles were done on gram positive (Bacillus and S. aureus) and gram negative (E-coli) bacteria by agar diffusion method. The loaded antibacterial nanoparticles are effective against the bacteria under investigation. Under the given experimental conditions, the maximum inactivation performances of each loaded inorganic agent were investigated. The loaded fabrics show the following antibacterial performance order against Bacillus: Ag=CuO>ZnO>MgO. However, the activity order is CuO>Ag>ZnO=MgO against S.aureus and E.coli. The inactivation performances depend on the type, purity and the amount of antibacterial nanoparticles on the textile surfaces.

Development of o-phthalic anhydride as a low-temperature activator in H2O2 bleaching system for cotton fabric

O-phthalic anhydride (PA) was developed as a low-temperature activator in the H2O2 bleaching system for cotton fabric. The performance of the H2O2/PA bleaching system was investigated by measuring the CIE whiteness index (WI) of the bleached cotton fabric, H2O2 decomposition rate and bursting strength, respectively. The effects of experimental conditions, including PA dosage, bleaching time, bleaching temperature and NaOH concentration, were discussed in the H2O2/PA bleaching system. Upon addition of PA, the WI and H2O2 decomposition rate increased significantly at 70 °C. The results showed that the bleaching system had a promising application prospect. Compared with the H2O2 system, the H2O2/PA system significantly promoted 1O2 generation under the same alkali condition by using 9,10-dimethylanthracene as a fluorescent probe for 1O2. And the generation of large amount of 1O2 did not obviously affect the bleaching performance in the H2O2/PA system. By using benzenepentacarboxylic acid as a fluorescent probe for HO· detection, it was found that the fluorescence intensity was enhanced 14 folds in the presence of PA, indicating that PA could strongly promote HO· generation. By using dimethyl sulfoxide as a scavenger to control HO· concentration, it was found that the WI of the fabric was closely related to the HO· concentration, revealing that the HO· could play an important role in the bleaching process. Phthalic acid was also added to the H2O2 bleaching system to investigate potential bleaching route of the H2O2/PA system. Based on these experimental results, a possible bleaching mechanism of the H2O2/PA system was proposed.

Low-temperature bleaching of cotton fabric by activated peroxide system

Bleaching of cellulose material with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is carried out, in general, beneath alkaline stipulations at excessive temperature, which ends up in bigger energy consumption and fibre damage. This study was designed to achieve bleaching of cotton material at low temperature by utilising potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), which is a catalyst of hydrogen peroxide decomposition, to improve the traditional procedure. The variables affecting bleaching effects were investigated; the bleaching temperature was confirmed to have the greatest influence on activated bleaching, and the elevated temperature used was accompanied by tremendous improvement in whiteness. The whiteness index of the fabric bleached at low temperature was lower than that of fabric bleached at high temperature, but the tensile strength and weight loss were a lot better for the material bleached at low temperature. Subsequent Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that the potassium persulfate/hydrogen peroxide bleaching system decreased carbonyl groups better than traditional bleaching did, leading to greater bleaching efficiency and final brightness. Bleaching by potassium persulfate/hydrogen peroxide resulted in stronger oxidation than by hydrogen peroxide bleaching. By calculating through a theoretical energy consumption analysis, it was found that the low-temperature process required 1·96 times lower energy than that for the traditional procedure.

Bactericidal finishing of loomstate, scoured and bleached cotton fibres via sustainable in-situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles

Loomstate-, scoured- and bleached cotton fabrics were first activated by treatment with ethanolamine and; thus obtained three fabrics were submitted independently to in-situ formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using different concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in absence of other external precursor. The magnitude of AgNPs on the fabric increases by increasing AgNO3 concentrations during synthesis of AgNPs loaded fabrics irrespective of the fabric used. Loomstate- and scoured cotton fabrics with the highest amount of AgNPs exhibit spherical shape with less aggregates; opposite to their bleached mate where AgNPs are irregularly shaped with bigger size due to aggregation. The formation of AgNPs is confirmed through monitoring UV–vis absorption peak. Results signify also the formation of high density coating of silver on the surface of cotton fabric. Fabrics loaded with AgNPs exhibit superior antibacterial activity. Treatment with distilled water of AgNPs loaded scoured cotton fabric filtered by centrifugation verify the very slow launching of AgNPs indicating excellent durability; a point which advocates the use of such fabrics in infection prevention applications. Indeed, the basic and practice entailed in current studies can be nominated strongly for cleaner bactericidal finishing of cotton.

Development of antimicrobial medical cotton fabrics using synthesized nanoemulsion of reactive cyclodextrin hosted coconut oil inclusion complex

Reactive cyclodextrin (RCD) based nanoemulsion and loaded with coconut oil in presence of Tween 80 emulsifying agent for development of antimicrobial medical cotton fabrics is the subject of current research. RCD based nanoemulsion was prepared at different stirring duration, viz, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h in presence of Tween 80. This was done in order to induce varieties in size and morphology of the nanoemulsion. The coconut oil encapsulated RCD based nanocomposite was precipitated as powder using centrifugation technique for 60 min at 4500 rpm and the resulted powder was investigated using TEM and SEM techniques. The images that provided by these techniques confirmed the nano-sized scale of the coconut oil loaded RCD nanocomposite. In addition, the entrapment efficiency of coconut oil loaded RCD based nanoemulsion after centrifugation was calculated and was found to more than 93 %; this is a proof for the successful inclusion of the coconut oil inside the cavity of RCD molecules. Moreover, the obtained RCD based nanoemulsions were applied to bleached cotton fabrics as per the pad-dry-cure method. The as treated cotton fabrics were monitored for nitrogen content, add-on, mechanical properties and morphology vis-a-vis those similarly treated fabrics but using the as prepared microemulsion of RCD loaded with coconut oil in absence of Tween 80. The morphological structure of cotton fabrics treated with the nanoemulsion in question was also examined using SEM technique. Moreover, the biological activity of the nanoemulsion finished fabrics before and after being submitted to 20 washing cycles was investigated against different types of bacteria and fungi as per the inhibition zone method. Results obtained signify: (i) deposition on the fabric of coconut oil loaded RCD nanoemulsion; (ii) the add-on of the nanoemulsion on the surface of cotton fabric is a manifestation of the stirring duration, proofing the formation of ultrafine oil nanoemulsion which penetrates the fabric surface; (iii) the finished fabrics display antimicrobial activity with clear excellent inhibition zone even after 20 washing cycles, indicating the protection of these fabrics for human beings from harmful microbes. In conclusion, the cotton fabrics treated with nanoemulsion of RCD loaded coconut oil is considered as an effective super antimicrobial medical textile against pathogenic microorganisms of both bacteria and fungus species.

Orange peels waste as a low cost cotton natural dye

The further usage of vegetable waste from orange as textile dyes is presented in this paper. The work is focused on carotenoids dyestuff extracted from orange peels. A statistical mixture-design technique was used to study the effects of different solvents (acetone, hexane, and ethanol) and their mixtures on the carotenoids yield from the orange peel wastes. The experimental results and their response-surface models showed that the combination of solvents increased the total carotenoids yields compared with that obtained by any of the individual solvents. Acetone-hexane-ethanol (50-46-4 %) mixture extracted more carotenoids than did other mixtures. Unmordanted and post-mordanted bleached cotton fabric were dyed. Three percent alum of the weight fraction of cotton were used as mordant. Colour measurements (K/S, L*, a*, b*) and fastness properties as light and wash fastness were tested.