Fabric Softening Research Articles

Sustainable lignosulfonate-modified PA6.6 fabrics to improve durable flame retardancy, hydrophilicity and mechanical performance

Creating durable flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical performance, and hydrophilic polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) textiles via cost-effectiveness from sustainable renewable sources is a considerable challenge. This study introduces a pretreatment process involving the application of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) to the surface of PA6.6 fabrics, thereby enhancing their hydrophilic and flame-retardant properties. Subsequently, a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating treatment is employed, utilizing renewable polyelectrolytes—chitosan (CS), LS, and poly (sodium phosphate) (PSP)—to create 8-bilayer (BL) and 4-quarda layer (QL) structures that further improve the hydrophilicity and durable flame resistance of PA6.6 fabrics. The combined LS-modified and LbL coatings notably increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values from 19.5 % to 22.5 %, eliminated melt dripping, and secured a V-1 rating in the vertical burning (UL-94) tests. Moreover, the treated fabrics exhibited a 43 % reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a lower fire growth rate (FGR) of 0.84 W/g·s, with a significant increase in char yield% in both air and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres. A cross-linked network structure is responsible for the superior hydrophilicity, enhanced tensile strength, and fabric softening properties. The self-crosslinking of sulfur-containing radicals with amide units ensures an anti-dripping performance that can withstand up to 30 home laundering cycles, demonstrating remarkable washing durability. However, a convincing approach has been developed for sustainable and high-performance materials for the textile industry, and a simple LbL technique using renewable polyelectrolytes that have traditionally been utilized in water treatment and food processing has been developed.

Extremophilic Cellulases: A Comprehensive Review

Microbial cellulases are an important industrial enzyme having diverse applications in biotechnology, environmental challenges, industrial products and processes. Extremophiles like thermophillic bacteria are a good source of industrially important cellulases as these can withstand industrially rigorous procedures like paper deinking, fabric material softening, bio stoning, paper and pulp, biopolishing cloth material, animal feed and juice. Identification of novel cellulases or improving them through biotechnological interventions has remained a challenge for researchers. Genetic manipulation of thermophilic bacteria for increased cellulase production or synthetic biology approaches for cellulase gene/gene cluster extraction from thermophilic bacteria and expression in appropriate hosts for improved cellulase synthesis. The classic and high-throughput technologies like genomics, metagenomics and bioinformatics could be exploited to isolate cellulase genes from a variety of thermophilic bacteria and further processing. Keeping in view the ultimate requirement of extremophilic cellulases in industries, present study is a compilation of various aspects related to extremophilic cellulases their sources, production, biotechnological interventions and challenges.

Polystyrene‐Based 2‐Oxoacetates for the Light‐Induced Release of Fragrances Under Realistic Application Conditions

AbstractLight‐sensitive 2‐oxoacetate‐derived polystyrene copolymers are investigated for the controlled release of fragrances. The stimuli‐responsive delivery systems are efficiently prepared in a two‐step reaction sequence. Simultaneous Friedel–Crafts acylation and cationic polymerization of styrene give access to 2‐oxoacetate‐derived polystyrenes in one step; the fragrance to be released is then introduced by organotin‐catalyzed transesterification in a second step. The performance of the copolymer conjugates releasing either individual fragrance raw materials or a fragrance mixture is evaluated by dynamic headspace analysis in the presence of surfactants on different substrates and compared with their non‐polymeric analogues. Direct and indirect deposition of the delivery systems onto cotton in a fabric softening application show that differences in performance are correlated with the amount of surface deposition. In the present study, the copolymer that releases a fragrance mixture performs better than the copolymers that release the corresponding fragrances individually and better than the respective non‐polymeric profragrances.

Synthesis and characterization of gemini ester surfactant and its application in efficient fabric softening

Cationic surfactants with ester groups are considered as an important class of hydrolyzable and biodegradable materials utilized in multiple fields. In this work, a new type of gemini cationic surfactant containing two ester groups, N1,N1,N4,N4-tetramethyl-N1,N4-bis(2-(hexadecanoyloxy)ethyl)butane-1,4-diammonium bromide (TBDB), an 18-4-18 type gemini surfactant, has been successfully synthesized in a three-step reaction from natural palmitic acid, thionyl chloride, N,N-dimethylethanolamine and 1,4-dibromobutane. The maximum yield reaches about 94% under the optimum reaction conditions. The structures of the final product were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension of its aqueous solution are ~3.09 × 10−5 M and 38.4 mN/m at 25 °C, respectively, and the gemini ester surfactant shows high benzene solubilization capacity. When treating cotton fabric, it can effectively retain the whiteness and surface hydrophilicity of the fabric while exhibiting a higher fabric-softening ability than the corresponding monomeric surfactants, due to its more efficient adsorption onto the fabric surface. The discovery suggests that this kind gemini ester surfactant is promising with potential applications in the fields of surfactants and coatings.

Peptide‐Enhanced Selective Surface Deposition of Polymer‐Based Fragrance Delivery Systems

Surface deposition is a critical step in the application of fragrance‐containing products. This contribution presents a novel strategy to enhance the deposition of polymer‐based fragrance delivery systems onto cotton substrates from the application medium using phage display identified peptides. Following the identification of cotton binding peptide ligands under fabric softening conditions via phage display, the strongest binding peptide ligand is incorporated into two model polymer‐based fragrance delivery systems, viz., polymer profragrances and polymer nanoparticles. The model polymer profragrance used is a linear, water soluble poly(N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) conjugate, while poly(styrene‐co‐acrylic acid) (PS‐co‐PAA) nanoparticles prepared via miniemulsion polymerization are chosen as the second model system. The incorporation of the cotton binding peptide ligand into these fragrance delivery systems enhances their surface deposition two‐ to three‐fold, as evidenced by fluorescence intensity measurements. In the case of the fragrance‐containing PS‐co‐PAA nanoparticles, the enhanced surface deposition also translates into an increased fragrance release from the cotton surface according to dynamic headspace sampling measurements.

Photolabile acetals as profragrances: the effect of structural modifications on the light-induced release of volatile aldehydes on cotton.

Because volatile compounds evaporate from surfaces that are usually exposed to daylight, photoresponsive delivery systems are particularly suitable to control their release. In the present study, we investigated 4,4-diphenyl-4H-benzo[d][1,3]dioxins as profragrances for the light-induced delivery of aldehydes in functional perfumery. The efficiency of fragrance release was investigated on cotton after direct and indirect surface deposition from a fabric softening formulation as a function of the substitution pattern of the profragrance structure. Dynamic headspace analysis above the cotton surface demonstrated that the structure of the profragrance had a much larger effect on the fragrance release than did the amount of deposition on the target surface. Although some trends observed for the photolysis in solution also applied to the reaction on cotton, it is not generally possible to predict the photochemical behaviour of structurally different precursors on surfaces from their solution properties. The fact that the present system performed on a dry surface makes it an interesting light-triggered delivery vehicle for other classes of bioactive volatile compounds, such as pheromones or agrochemicals.

Influence of lipid bilayer phase behavior and substrate roughness on the pathways of intact vesicle deposition: A streaming potential study

Deposition of vesicles on solid surfaces can in some cases result in the formation of assemblies of intact surface-bound vesicles known as supported vesicular layers (SVLs). Understanding the mechanism of SVL formation is thus important for effective utilization of vesicles in applications involving vesicle-substrate interactions such as drug delivery and fabric softening. In this work, we investigate SVL formation of two different types of cationic vesicles made up of lipid bilayers existing in the solid-gel and liquid-crystalline phases, respectively, on both smooth and rough anionic cellulose fibers. Deposition is studied quantitatively via spectrophotometric determination of bulk lipid concentrations, and characterization of fiber apparent zeta potentials via streaming potential measurements. Equilibrium deposition results, and profiles of variation of substrate apparent zeta potentials with deposition reveal that the deposition mechanisms of the two vesicle types are similar on rough surfaces (cotton) but significantly different on smooth surfaces (viscose). It is concluded that vesicle deposition mechanism is governed by the surface mobility of deposited vesicles which is dependent on substrate roughness and lipid bilayer phase behavior controlled vesicle properties. Results indicate that while both the vesicle types are immobile on rough surfaces, on smooth surfaces liquid-crystalline vesicles are preferentially mobile over solid-gel vesicles. Possible reasons underlying the vesicle surface mobility characteristics are discussed.

Intact deposition of cationic vesicles on anionic cellulose fibers: Role of vesicle size, polydispersity, and substrate roughness studied via streaming potential measurements

HypothesisUnderstanding the mechanism of intact vesicle deposition on solid surfaces is important for effective utilization of vesicles as active ingredient carriers in applications such as drug delivery and fabric softening. In this study, the deposition of large (davg=12μm) and small (davg=0.27μm) cationic vesicles of ditallowethylester dimethylammonium chloride (DEEDMAC) on smooth and rough anionic cellulose fibers is investigated. ExperimentsThe deposition process is studied quantitatively using streaming potential measurements and spectrophotometric determination of DEEDMAC concentrations. Natural and regenerated cellulose fibers, namely cotton and viscose, having rough and smooth surfaces, respectively, are used as adsorbents. Equilibrium deposition data and profiles of substrate streaming potential variation with deposition are used to gain insights into the fate of vesicles upon deposition and the deposition mechanism. FindingsIntact deposition of DEEDMAC vesicles is ascertained based on streaming potential variation with deposition in the form of characteristic saturating profiles which symbolize particle-like deposition. The same is also confirmed by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Substrate roughness is found to considerably influence the deposition mechanism which, in a novel application of electrokinetic methods, is elucidated via streaming potential measurements.

Synthesis and Performance Properties of Cationic Fabric Softeners Derived from Free Fatty Acid of Tallow Fat.

Esterquat cationic softener is basically the class of surface active quaternary ammonium compounds. Esterquat compounds were synthesized and their surface behavior, antibacterial activity and Textile softening properties were investigated. Easily found cheap material was used to synthesize cationic fabric softeners. This fabric softener will be a good for commercially and industrially important because their emulsify activity, rewettability dispersing power and softness. Free fatty acids were derived from tallow oil and were treated with triethanolamine and mono-ethanolamine at 140°C. This diester was quaternaries with dimethyl sulphate and benzyl chloride. The synthesized esterquat compounds were characterized by its cationic content, 1H NMR and FT-IR analysis. In addition to the cationic content, surface tension, CMC (critical micelle concentration), rewettability, fabric softening, emulsification and dispersing power were determined as their surface-active properties. The fabric softening activity of esterquat and esteramide prepared from DMS was better softening activity of fabrics compared to untreated cotton and polyester fabrics cloth. The presented result shows that the esterquat made from BCl exhibit the best dispersing power. The esterquat made from DMS both in TEA and MEA shows good rewettability was determined.

Synthesis of Rice Bran Fatty Acids (RBFAs) Based Cationic Surfactants and Evaluation of Their Performance Properties in Combination with Nonionic Surfactant

Abstract Cationic surfactants are mainly used for fabric softening in laundry applications. Esterquats are one class of cationic surfactants and are superseding other existing cationic surfactants on account of their excellent biodegradability. However, indigenous and cost-effective production of esterquats poses new challenges for the researchers. The availability of rice bran fatty acids and its price structure in Indian scenario makes this fatty feedstock quite lucrative for cost-effective synthesis of cationic surfactants. In the present study, esterquats based on rice bran fatty acids (RBFAs) were synthesized by using different alkanolamines i. e. diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) and dimethyl sulphate (DMS) for obtaining cationic surfactants which was used as active softener ingredient. For this purpose, esterquats have been synthesized by esterification of RBFAs and alkanolamines to recover diesters followed by the subsequent quaternization of diesters by DMS. It was found that the optimum reaction conditions for esterification of RBFAs and DEA was 140 °C and 3 h of duration. However, for RBFAs and TEA, it was found to be 140 °C and 4 h of duration. The chemical structures of diesters and esterquats were confirmed by FT-IR and NMR spectra. Studies of surface active and performance properties of these surfactants showed that esterquats based on TEA had better surface active and performance properties as compared to DEA based esterquats. The synthesized cationic surfactants when mixed with nonionic surfactant showed better performance properties as compared to the nonionic surfactant alone.

Controlled Release of Damascone from Poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)-based Bioconjugates in Functional Perfumery

Poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)s were modified with poly(propylene oxide (PO)-co-ethylene oxide (EO)) side chains (Jeffamine®) with different EO/PO molar ratios, varying between 0.11 and 3.60. These copolymers were then further functionalized with a β-mercapto ketone of δ-damascone. The obtained poly(maleic acid monoamide)-based β-mercapto ketones were then studied as delivery systems for the controlled release of δ-damascone by retro 1,4-addition. The release of δ-damascone, a volatile, bioactive molecule of the family of rose ketones, was studied by dynamic headspace analysis above a cotton surface after deposition of a cationic surfactant containing fabric softening formulation, as a function of the ethylene oxide (EO)/propylene oxide (PO) molar ratio of the grafted copolymer side chains. The polarity of the EO/PO side chain influenced the release efficiency of the damascone in a typical fabric softening application. PO-rich copolymers and the corresponding poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) without Jeffamine® side chains were found to be less efficient for the desired fragrance release than the corresponding bioconjugate with a EO/PO ratio of 3.60 in the side chain. This copolymer conjugate seemed to represent a suitable balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity to favor the release of the δ-damascone and to improve the deposition of the conjugate from an aqueous environment onto a cotton surface.

Characteristics of Bentonite and Its Fabric Softening Effect

Characteristics of Bentonite and Its Fabric Softening Effect

An Alpine-style Ordovician collision complex in the Sierra de Pie de Palo, Argentina: Record of subduction of Cuyania beneath the Famatina arc

The Caucete Group and structurally overlying Pie de Palo Complex in western Argentina are characterised by two generations of west-verging folds and thrust-related shear zones, which formed under amphibolite facies conditions. The Caucete Group is separated from the Pie de Palo Complex by the Pirquitas thrust. These structures are interpreted to have formed as a result of a progressive deformation, generated during Middle Ordovician, underthrusting of the Laurentian-derived Cuyania microcontinent beneath the active Famatina margin. Geometrical relationships are most simply explained if the Pie de Palo Complex was basement to the Caucete Group prior to Ordovician orogenesis. We propose that this basement-cover relationship was established during Cambrian rifting of the Cuyania microcontinent from Laurentia. The Pirquitas fault may have been initiated during this extension prior to its long-lived remobilization as a thrust. We cannot rule out the possibility that the Pie de Palo Complex was exotic with respect to the Caucete Group, but for this to be possible we have to introduce an extra generation of structures, for which no evidence is preserved. The deformation was characterised by early strain localization followed by a more homogeneously distributed non-coaxial flow during F 2. Thermal softening probably dominated over fabric softening during this stage.

Treatment of cloth with a fabric softener ameliorates skin dryness

Dry skin is a condition characterized by impaired skin barrier function including atopic dermatitis and senile eczemas. Fabric softening chemicals (FSC) smoothens the surface of fabrics and thus decreases friction with the skin. Scientific evaluation of fabric softener on skin dryness is very limited. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of FSC-treated T-shirts in subjects with dry skin. This is a randomized double-blind control study that included 40 male volunteers with apparent dry skin. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: 20 men received 28 pieces of FSC-treated T-shirts wearing them for 4 weeks, and another 20 men received non-treated T-shirts. The effect of trial was evaluated by visual grading, subjective symptom, stratum corneum water content (SCWC), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and dermoscopic skin surface analysis on days 0, 7, 14 and 28. A significant improvement of SCWC was observed in the skin of the shoulder (days 7-28) and lateral abdomen (day 14) wearing the treated T-shirts, but not in the non-treated T-shirts. In a stratified analysis of the low and high SCWC group, significant improvement was identified in the low SCWC groups but not in high SCWC groups. The visual grading of the shoulder improved significantly in the treated T-shirts group. No significant improvement was found in TEWL, dermoscopic analysis and subjective symptom in both groups. No remarkable side-effect was identified throughout this investigation. Addition of a fabric softener during clothes laundering is a potent preventive tool for dry skin.

Experimental characterization and finite element analysis of inflated fabric beams

An airbeam is a high-strength fabric sleeve with a highly flexible internal bladder that can be used as a load-bearing beam or arch when inflated. Due to their fabric construction, airbeams are inherently thin-walled structures that are prone to local buckling. In this study, airbeams were tested in bending at different inflation pressures to quantify their load–deformation response and the effect of inflation pressure on response. Tension–torsion tests of the airbeam fabric were conducted to estimate the fabric shear modulus, and the bend test results were used in conjunction with Timoshenko beam theory to estimate the fabric elastic modulus. Three-dimensional membrane finite element (FE) models were then used to predict the beam load–deformation response given these moduli. The FE models successfully predicted localized fabric buckling and softening of load–deflection response. Comparison of FE model-predicted load–deflection response with beam theory shows that conventional beam theory is accurate prior to local buckling of the airbeam fabric. The FE model and test results indicate that the consideration of work done by pressure under deformation-induced volume changes may increase beam capacity beyond previously derived theoretical limiting values.

Synthesis and Performance Properties of Cationic Fabric Softeners Derived from Different Fatty Acids and 1(2‐Hydroxyethylpiperazine)

AbstractQuaternary ammonium salts (otherwise known as “quats”) commonly form the foundation of formulations in the antimicrobial industry. Many studies have been conducted on the biological activity of surfactants derived from fatty acids viz. lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid and palm fatty acid with polyamine, i.e. 1(2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine). The present paper investigates the synthesis and surface‐active properties of esteramide quats derived from the esterification of the above‐mentioned fatty acids and 1(2‐hydroxyethylpiperazine) followed by quaternization using dimethyl sulphate (DMS). These derivatives were fully characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. In addition to the cationic content, surface tension, CMC (critical micelle concentration), fabric softening, rewettability, emulsification and dispersing power were determined as their surface‐active properties.

Ester Quats: The Novel Class of Cationic Fabric Softeners

Esterquats, which are quaternary ammonium compounds having two long (C(16)-C(18)) fatty acid chains with 2 weak ester linkages, represent a new generation of fabric softening agents, having replaced the dialkyldimethylammonium salts (e.g. DTDMAC and DSDMAC). The inclusion of ester linkages into the aliphatic chains has significantly improved the kinetics of biodegradation of the cationic surfactants, lowering the environmental exposure levels. This new generation of fabric softening agents combines a good environmental profile with the structural features required for an effective fabric conditioner. The present paper reviews the synthesis, types, actives combines a good environmental profile with the structural features required for a properties and applications of esterquats.

Fundamental Aspects of Aminoalkyl Siloxane Softeners by Molecular Modeling and Experimental Methods

The global textile industry has an ongoing need for improved softening products. Current materials systems, including those with siloxane polymers, exhibit certain limi tations such as yellowing, high cost, and low softening efficiency. Investigations into fabric softening mechanisms invoke molecular modeling tools to simulate siloxane polymer and cotton fiber interactions at the molecular level. This research describes how certain polymer types exhibit fundamentally enhanced siloxane and fiber interactions within particular pH ranges. Molecular modeling results are also correlated with empirical findings. The output of this research adds insight into efforts to understand fabric softening phenomena.

Environmental fate and effects of DEEDMAC: A new rapidly biodegradable cationic surfactant for use in fabric softeners

This paper introduces the environmental safety database for a new fabric softening cationic surfactant, the di-(tallow fatty acid) ester of di-2-hydroxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, DEEDMAC > D i e thyl E ster D imethyl A mmonium C hloride). The physiochemical properties of DEEDMAC are similar to those for ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC), the major cationic surfactant used in fabric softener formulations world-wide for over thirty years. Importantly, however, DEEDMAC differs structurally from DTDMAC by the inclusion of two weak ester linkages between the ethyl and tallow chains. These ester linkages allow DEEDMAC to be rapidly and completely biodegraded in standard laboratory screening tests and a range of environmental compartments. including raw sewage, activated sludge, anaerobic digestor sludge, sludge amended soil, and river waters. Removal of DEEDMAC during sewage treatment is greater than 99%, as determined by computer model predictions and confirmed by laboratory simulation testing (OECD Continuous Activated Sludge confirmatory test). Using estimated tonnages, per capita waste water flows, incidences of sewage treatment for individual countries, measured removal rates, and validated computer models, maximum river water and soil concentrations of DEEDMAC have been estimated for representative usage scenarios. Based upon these maximum predicted environmental concentrations, acute and chronic toxicity testing offish, invertebrates and algae, predicted aquatic safety factors range from 272 to > 1000. Predicted steady state terrestrial safety factors are > 1000, based on EC 50 values to earthworms and plants >50 mg/kg. The environmental safety database developed for DEEDMAC indicates that this cationic surfactant is rapidly and completely biodegraded, will be highly removed during sewage treatment. has an ecotoxicity profile similar to broadly used anionic and nonionic surfactants, and is environmentally safe at intended maximum usage volumes.

4842769 Stabilized fabric softening built detergent composition containing enzymes: Jan E Shulman, Pallassana Ramachandran assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Co

4842769 Stabilized fabric softening built detergent composition containing enzymes: Jan E Shulman, Pallassana Ramachandran assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Co