Fabric Weight Loss Research Articles

Behavior of polypyrrole-coated cotton fabric undergoing biodegradation in compost-enriched soil

This study investigated the biodegradation behavior of cotton fabrics treated with polypyrrole, a polymer with conductive and antibacterial properties. Fabric samples were buried in compost-enriched soil for 10, 30 and 90 days. The biodegradation level was initially estimated by a visual inspection of the fibers and by the determination of the fabric weight loss. Other physical–chemical changes of fibers during the biodegradation process were analyzed by microscopy, thermal analyses and infrared spectroscopy. The surface resistivity of the fabrics was also measured. The results obtained comparing the bare cotton samples and the polypyrrole-added ones suggested that, on the one hand, polypyrrole hindered/delayed the biodegradation of cotton in compost-enriched soil, probably exercising its inherent antimicrobial feature during the first period of burial. On the other hand, over time, polypyrrole seemed to represent the first compound attacked by the microorganisms, preserving the cotton substrate. Despite the absence of dedicated literature regarding polypyrrole biodegradation, the mechanism hypothesized in this paper involves the loss of conjugation, as a consequence of de-doping, oxidized functionalities up to local cycle breaking.

The investigation of the effect of sodium chlorite and phosphonic acid catalysts on cotton bleaching process conditions

Today's environmental and living conditions necessitate reconsideration of traditional cotton fabric bleaching processes. For this reason, it is very important for the environment and the economy to obtain higher whiteness values by using less water and chemicals in bleaching. Sodium chlorite (NaClO2), the source of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) as the most important disinfectant, which gained popularity and availability during the COVID-19 pandemic, is an appropriate oxidant for the purpose. Using NaClO2 as bleaching agent has significant advantages, such as reducing the amount of washing proses and increasing of cotton strength. Another advantage of this reagent is that it causes less fabric weight loss than other reagents. Therefore, the present work was intended to improve the process conditions (different temperatures, concentrations, and times) of bleaching of cotton fabric by using NaClO2. Optimum temperature and time were determined as 30 min at 65 °C and 30 min at 85 °C, and a high whiteness index (W.I.=88) was obtained by using phosphonic acid (HEDP). Moreover, the tensile strength, weight loss and morphologies of the samples were examined. It has been observed that sodium chlorite causes little damage to cotton fibers and requires less water for rinsing since it does not form alkaline residues.

A study on multifunctional protein fibre with UV protection, moth repellency and antibacterial properties using ESIPT core containing benzimidazole and benzothiazole based functional acid azo dyes

Water soluble fluorescent acid azo dyes with benzimidazole and benzothiazole component having excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) core were synthesised by diazo coupling. The structure of the dyes were analysed and confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared – spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analysis. Absorption and emission characteristics of the dyes were studied in different polarity solvents shown bathochromic (red) shift as solvent polarity increases. Wool and silk fabric dyed with synthesised dyes displayed high exhaustion, uniform dyeing and good wet fastness properties. The dyed substrate showed green and purple fluorescence under UV light (366 ​nm) along with UV protection. Dyed wool fabric was also assessed for antibacterial activity by calculation of bacterial reduction Staphylococcus Auerus (Gram positive), Klebsiella Pneumonia (Gram negative) bacteria. The dyed wool were also examined for the resistivity against insect pests Anthrenus Flavipies (Le Conte) by calculation of the fabric weight loss, Mortality of moth and visible assessment of fabric attacked by moth after 14 days in given conditions. Consequently, it was demonstrated that wool fabric dyed with Benzimidazole and benzothiazole based acid dyes had various functionalities, such as UV protection, antibacterial activity and mild moth repellency.

A sustainable one-step pretreatment of cotton gray fabric with 18-crown-6 as phase transfer in supercritical carbon dioxide

With increasing awareness in environmental protection from the world, traditional pretreatment methods for textiles, which entail high costs and cause severe pollutions, can no longer meet the requirements of green and sustainable development in textile industry. Therefore, to explore a new pretreatment method to overcome those drawbacks is of great importance. In this work, green and environmentally friendly method was developed in supercritical carbon dioxide fluid to pretreat cotton gray fabric for removing various impurities with one step and one bath, by utilizing an 18-crown-6 phase transfer system. Various process parameters, such as the pH value of buffer solution, the dosage of phase transfer catalyst, hydrogen peroxide, buffer solution, and the system temperature, pressure, treatment duration, were investigated and optimized by employing the weight loss percent and the capillary rise height as assessment index. The obtained results show that the developed alkali-hydrogen peroxide one-step method involving the 18-crown-6 phase transfer system in supercritical carbon dioxide exhibits a good feasibility for the removal of various sizing agents and other impurities from cotton fabric, and a satisfactory pretreatment performance and efficiency were achieved. The pretreatment parameters showed an important and various effects on the pretreatment efficiency of cotton substrate during a phase transfer oxidative one-step process in supercritical carbon dioxide. Moreover, a phase transfer oxidative one-step process was also recommended for cotton gray fabric pretreatment in supercritical carbon dioxide, by achieving a fabric weight loss at 6.21% and a satisfactory capillary rise height at 8.0 cm under an optimized condition. Additionally, an oxidative one-step pretreatment mechanism by employing 18-crown-6 to phase transfer reactive species for cotton gray fabric in SCF-CO2 was further supposed.

Synergism between Cutinase and Pectinase in the Hydrolysis of Cotton Fibers’ Cuticle

Scouring is one of the initial steps in the processing of natural textile fibers (e.g., cotton), performed to remove waxes and pectins, together with spinning oils and other impurities of the plant cell cuticle. Traditional chemical bleaching with boiling NaOH led to harsh removal of the entire fabric’s cuticle waxy layer accompanied by an unwanted alkaline waste. Extracellular lytic enzymes such as lipases, cellulases and pectinases play an essential role in host plant-pathogen interactions. They degrade the plant cuticle and tissue and enable pathogen invasion. Such enzymes, specifically cutinase and pectinase, have been considered potential bio-scouring agents to degrade the cotton fabric cuticle’s outer layer at low temperature and alleviate environmental pollution. In this work, the combined effect of cutinase, pectin lyase, or polygalacturonase on the scouring of cotton fabrics was studied using evaporative light-scattering reverse-phase HPLC and GC-MS analysis of the reaction components, and measuring changes in the cotton fabrics’ properties. The traditional method of cotton fabrics’ scouring with NaOH resulted in decreased pectin content and increased cellulose fibers accessibility, evaluated by specific staining. Treating the cotton fibers’ cuticle with cutinase led to the acidification of the reaction mixture, a decrease in enzyme-specific activity, and elevation in hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acids in the reaction fluid. These two saturated fatty acids are the main wax constituents of raw cotton fabrics, identified using GC-MS after dichloromethane reflux overnight. Treating cotton fabrics with each of the three enzymes, cutinase, pectin lyase, or polygalacturonase, increased their pectin removal, as measured by high concentrations of D-galacturonic acid and other pectin constituents in the reaction fluid. A synergistic effect was found in the combined treatment of cutinase and pectin lyase in the hydrolysis of the cotton fibers’ cuticle. This effect was expressed in high water absorbency of the treated fibers, increased fabric weight loss and sharp elevation of a cutin and pectin monomer’s related peaks (retention time [RT] = 4.1 min and 2.9, 4.5 min, respectively). A model was suggested for the synergistic action between cutinase and pectin lyase. It assumes that the cuticle’s digestion by cutinase results in the enlargement and formation of outer layer micropores, which enables the rapid penetration of pectinase into the inner pectin layer.

Assessing friction in silk-like finished polyester fabrics

The influence of the silk-like finishing process on the frictional properties of polyester fabrics was examined by assessing fibre-to-metal friction through parameter R in a 100% polyester woven fabric processed under variable conditions of NaOH concentration and vaporization time. The alkali concentration influenced static and dynamic friction in the fabric, whereas the vaporization time only affected static friction. Process variables can be used to predict the frictional performance of silk-like finished fabrics via parameter R for dynamic friction. Fabric weight loss by effect of the silk-like finishing treatment influences the coefficient of fibre-to-metal friction. Industrially, the silk-line finishing process is typically monitored through weight loss in the finished fabric. As shown here, however, it can also be monitored by assessing changes in fabric surface via the dynamic friction parameter R.

Study and application of an enzymatic pool in bioscouring of cotton knit fabric

AbstractGrey cotton contains between 4–12 % non‐cellulosic impurities. The removal of these impurities is generally carried out by alkaline washing at elevated temperatures which may cause damage to the cellulose fibre and generate an effluent with a high environmental impact. An alternative approach is the use of bioscouring, with enzymes specifically removing the impurities under mild conditions of pH and temperature. In this study, the effect of a commercial enzymatic pool (cellulase, lipase, and pectinase) on the bioscouring of 100 % cotton knit fabric was evaluated. The effect of each enzyme and the interaction between them were evaluated with the aid of an experimental design and the characterization of the treated fabric (weight loss, degree of whiteness, degree of pectin removal, and hydrophilicity) was performed. The combination of the three enzymes on bioscouring led to the best results in terms of degree of whiteness (25.0 °Berger), pectin removal (87 %), and hydrophilicity (14 s). A comparison between the enzymatic treatment and the scouring confirmed that bioscouring can be as effective as the conventional process, being more environmentally sustainable because it occurs at neutral pH and consumes less water and energy.

Biodegradation of cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics impregnated with Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles in soil

This study discusses the biodegradation behavior of cotton and cotton/PET fabrics impregnated with Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles in soil. Biodegradation behavior was evaluated by standard test method ASTM 5988-03 based on determination of percentage conversions of carbon content to CO2 as well as by soil burial test and enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase where the extent of biodegradation was estimated by the calculation of fabric weight loss. The morphological and chemical changes of fibers during biodegradation process were analyzed by SEM and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively.The results obtained by all applied methods suggested that Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles hindered the biodegradation of investigated cotton and cotton/PET fabrics. Soil burial test indicated faster biodegradation of the impregnated blend compared to impregnated cotton fabric which is attributed to smaller amount of fabricated Ag nanoparticles on the blend proved by AAS measurement. Similar trend was established by enzymatic hydrolysis of cotton fibers. Severe damage of cotton fibers in both fabrics due to biodegradation process was confirmed by SEM. However, the cotton fiber damage occurred to a lesser extent in the samples that were impregnated with Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles. PET fibers remained intact which was also indicated by FTIR analysis.

Synergistic Effect of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Pre-Treatment on Alkaline Etching of Polyethylene Terephthalate Fabrics and Films

Dyeing of PET materials by traditional methods presents several problems. Plasma technology has received enormous attention as a solution for the environmental problems related with textile surface modifications, and there has been a rapid development and commercialization of plasma technology over the past decade. In this work, the synergistic effect of atmospheric pressure plasma on alkaline etching and deep coloring of dyeing properties on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics and films was investigated. The topographical changes of the PET surface were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, which revealed a smooth surface morphology of the untreated sample whereas a high surface roughness for the plasma and/or alkaline treated samples. The effects of atmospheric pressure plasma on alkaline etching of the structure and properties of PET were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the main objective of performing DSC was to investigate the effect of the plasma pre-treatment on the Tg and Tm. Using a tensile strength tester YG065H and following a standard procedure the maximum force and elongation at maximum force of PET materials was investigated. Oxygen and argon plasma pre-treatment was found to increase the PET fabric weight loss rate. The color strength of PET fabrics was increased by various plasma pre-treatment times. The penetration of plasma and alkaline reactive species deep into the PET structure results in better dyeability and leaves a significant effect on the K/S values of the plasma pre-treated PET. It indicated that plasma pre-treatment has a great synergistic effect with the alkaline treatment of PET.

Biodegumming of ramie fiber with pectinases enhanced by oxygen plasma

A novel biodegumming process with pectinases for ramie fiber was developed in combination with oxygen plasma, in order to improve the efficiency of enzymes in impurity degradation. The results show that a notable positive influence of oxygen plasma on the biodegumming of ramie was achieved, in comparison with a conventional biodegumming process. The fabric weight loss, capillary rise height and whiteness of ramie fabric were evidently improved by employing the oxygen plasma-aided biodegumming process with a half dosage of enzymes, in comparison with a conventional experiment at different temperatures, solution pH values and treatment times. An optimized plasma-aided biodegumming process for raw ramie fabric was recommended with a temperature of 75 °C, a pH value of 8.0 in subjected solution for 60.0 min. Moreover, the role of oxygen plasma on ramie biodegumming was further confirmed by static water contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.

A Novel Low Temperature Approach for Simultaneous Scouring and Bleaching of Knitted Cotton Fabric at 60 °C

Exceedingly high temperatures (normally ∼98 °C) are used to perform hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching of cotton fabrics in textile industrial practice. Such harsh conditions lead to high energy consumptions and high fabric mass loss. In recent years, the industry and academic communities have conducted extensive research to reduce the temperature for industrial cotton bleaching. In this research, we developed a new H2O2 activator based on amino nitriles. All of the data demonstrated that in the presence of the new H2O2 activator, the combined scouring/bleaching of the knitted cotton fabric could be performed at 60 °C. The cotton knit fabric treated using the low temperature procedure also has lower fabric weight loss; some of the hydrophobic substances were retained on the fiber surface after the process. We found that the residual hydrophobic substances had little effect on the whiteness of the treated fabrics after application of optical brighteners, and had little effect on the shade-depth and colorfa...

Effects of Treatments with Two Lipolytic Enzymes on Cotton/Polyester Blend Fabrics

This study examined the use of cutinase and lipase to process cotton/polyester blend fabric. Optimum treatment conditions for cutinase and lipase were investigated for cotton/polyester blend fabric. The properties of enzyme-treated fabrics were evaluated and compared in optimal treatment conditions. In addition, the possibility to provide an enzymatic finishing on blend fabrics using mixed enzymes in a two-step process were studied. The weight loss of cotton/polyester blend fabrics with Triton X-100 was 0.8% and the dyeing property of blend fabrics with calcium chloride increased by a factor of 1.2. The use of two enzymes in combination with cutinase and lipase in the presence of auxiliaries resulted in a cotton/polyester blend fabric weight loss of 0.8%. In addition, the dyeing properties of cotton/polyester blend fabrics improved by a factor of 1.5 and the moisture regain of cotton/polyester blend fabrics improved by a factor of 1.16. However, no marked loss was observed in tensile strength. The surface morphology of cotton/polyester blend fabrics is modified through a two-enzyme treatment. The treatment of cotton/polyester blend fabrics with cutinase and lipase maintains cotton strength and improves the moisture regain of polyester fabrics.

Application of Ultrasonic Technology in the Enzyme Pretreatment of PLA Fabric

In this paper, compared with the traditional desizing process, the ultrasonic technology was applied to the pretreatment of PLA fabric combined with enzyme. The results showed that the fabric weight loss rate and the whiteness of the fabric increased 15% and 20% respectively after the ultrasonic treatment. Besides, the efficiency of the ultrasonic method also increased by 20% time saving.

Identification of Petriella setifera LH and characterization of its crude carboxymethyl cellulase for application in denim biostoning

The phylogenetic tree of the partial elongation factor-1 alpha gene fits better than the partial 18S rDNA for generic classification. From the results of the molecular tree and analysis of morphological characters, Petriella setifera LH was identified. It can be induced to produce carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase). The crude CMCase only shows a 44.1-kDa band by activity staining after SDS-PAGE. It is optimally active at 55°C and pH 6.0, and is stable from pH 5.0-8.0 and at 45°C or below. The crude CMCase, which is not affected by Co(2+), is strongly activated in the presence of 10 mM Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), EDTA, and Mn(2+). It is strongly inhibited by 10 mM Fe(2+), Pb(2+), Al(3+), Zn(2+), Ag(+), Fe(3+), and Cu(2+). When compared with denim treatment by Novoprime A800 (a commercial neutral cellulase), crude CMCase exhibits a similar fabric weight loss and indigo dye removal. These results indicate that crude CMCase has potential application in denim biostoning.

Sound absorption and viscoelastic property of acoustical automotive nonwovens and their plasma treatment

Sound absorption property, viscoelastic property and the effect of plasma treatment of four automotive nonwoven fabrics on these properties are discussed in this research paper. Needle-punched fabrics used for vehicle headliner include 2 polyester fabrics made of hollow polyester fibers or solid polyester fibers, and 2 polypropylene-composite cellulose fabrics made of jute fibers or kenaf fibers, manufactured with the same web structure of apparent fabric density and fabric thickness. Hollow polyester fiber fabric has the highest sound absorption and the highest loss factor, the second highest is jute fiber fabric. The viscoelastic property is found to be related to the sound absorption property of fabric. The plasma treatment on nonwoven fabrics changes their sound absorption and viscoelastic property as well as their fabric weight and pore size. Hollow polyester fabric shows the increased sound absorption and viscoelastic property after the treatment with the increased pore sizes, while regular polyester fabric displays insignificant changes. The cellulose fabrics are more affected by plasma treatment compared to the polyester fabrics in terms of fabric weight loss and pore size, and jute fabric is more affected than kenaf fabric due to fiber weakness. The jute fabric demonstrates the decreased sound absorption and viscoelastic property, while kenaf fabric shows the increased sound absorption with the unchanged viscoelastic property after the treatment.

Plasma enhanced CVD of SiO xC yH z thin film on different textile fabrics: Influence of exposure time on the abrasion resistance and mechanical properties

In order to improve textile fabric abrasion resistance, in this work a SiO x C y H z thin film was realized by low pressure plasma chemical vapour deposition (PCVD) at room temperature, using hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) as precursor compound. To test changes in the performance properties of the surface finished samples as a function of the type of the substrate, the deposition was carried out on different textile fabrics. The polymerization processes were followed by weight measurements of textile fabrics. It was found that, after PCVD, a significantly lower fabric weight loss was observed on treated samples after rubbing than on the untreated samples. The morphology, elemental composition and type of chemical bonding present in the film applied on textile fabrics were also investigated using electron scanning microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and infrared spectroscopy techniques (FT-IR (ATR)). The results showed a substantial enhancement of wear resistance for the surfaces modified with the presented process, while tensile and tearing strength were adversely affected.

Effects of pretreatment reagents on the hydrolysis and physical properties of PET fabrics

AbstractThe effects of pretreatment reagents on the hydrolysis and physical properties of PET fabrics were investigated under various alkaline hydrolysis treatment and pretreatment conditions. Before alkaline hydrolysis, solvent treatment with pretreatment reagents, including benzyl alcohol (PET‐b) or 2‐phenyl ethanol (PET‐p), modified the structure of the PET fabric, thus affecting the hydrolysis and physical properties of the PET fabrics. Fabric weight loss increased with increasing hydrolysis time. The rate constant (k) increased markedly with increasing methyl groups in the pretreatment reagents. The activation energy (Ea) of untreated fabrics was higher than those of the treated fabrics. The crystallinity of the PET fabrics increased with increasing hydrolysis times (t) and methyl groups in the pretreatment reagents. The weight loss of PET‐b increased with increasing pretreatment temperature (T). However, the weight loss of PET‐p increased up to 100°C but decreased above 120°C. The shrinkage of all samples increased with increasing hydrolysis times (t). Shrinkage of PET‐b and PET‐p was greater than that of untreated fabrics. PET‐b displayed greater shrinkage than PET‐p because byproducts polluted the PET fibers. Both the initial and maximum water absorption of the fabrics increased with increasing hydrolysis times (t). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Low-temperature plasma treatment of Tencel

The effect of low-temperature plasma (LTP) on the surface modification of Tencel fabric was studied using the plasma gases of oxygen and argon.The experimental results showed that argon plasma caused higher fabric weight loss. In addition, there was a tremendous decrease in the whiteness of the testing specimens as a result of the long exposure of argon LTP treatment. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that short exposure of argon or oxygen plasma increased the surface roughness on Tencel fabric that promoted the dye uptake. The contact angle test result showed that the wettability is increased by means of short-exposure LTP treatment. The generation of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in Tencel during the oxygen or argon LTP treatment was confirmed by the result of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the increased hydroxyl groups will assist the dye uptake.

Cotton fabric graft copolymerization using microwave plasma. II. Physical properties

AbstractMicrowave plasma treatments were applied to lightweight cotton fabric with oxygen, nitrogen, and argon at various microwave power levels and exposure times. The results showed significant effects from the type of plasma, microwave power, and treatment time on the fabric weight loss. Oxygen plasma treatment generates higher weight loss than argon plasma and nitrogen plasma. The breaking strength of the treated fabric was affected mainly by longer exposure time to the plasma. The active centers created within the cellulose macromolecules were used to initiate copolymerization reactions with the vinyl laurate monomer [CH3(CH2)10COOCHCH2]. The grafted cotton fabric showed excellent water repellency properties. Repeated home laundering of the treated cotton fabrics revealed no significant effect on the water contact angle or on the quantity of grafted vinyl laurate monomer as determined by universal attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform IR, demonstrating the good durability of the treatment that was applied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 896–902, 2005

Naturally occurring quinones and flavonoid dyes for wool: Insect feeding deterrents

AbstractThis study investigated the ability of natural dyes to impede the attack of black carpet beetles on wool. The dyes evaluated were naturally occurring quinines (cochineal, madder, and walnut) and flavonoids (chestnut, fustic, indigo, and logwood). All of the dyes, except indigo, were applied by using five mordanting agents (aluminum, chrome, copper, iron, and tin). Mordanting agents were used to bind natural dyes on wool. The insect resistance of the controls and dyed specimens was evaluated, following the fabric weight loss procedures in AATCC Test Method 24. All of the dyes, except indigo, increased the insect resistance of the wool fabric to attack by black carpet beetles. The wool specimens dyed with cochineal and madder, naturally occurring anthraquinone dyes, had the lowest fabric weight loss among eight natural dyes investigated. The flavonoid dyes were not effective in enhancing insect resistance. Alum, copper, and iron have no significant effect on enhancing or reducing insect resistance of any of the eight natural dyes used in this study. However, tin and chrome, when used as a mordant for cochineal, reduced the insect resistance dramatically. Surprisingly, tin improves the insect resistance of wool fabrics dyed with fustic dyes. The anthraquionones including cochineal, madder, and walnut were found to be quite effective in protecting wool fabric against black carpet beetles. Thus, the naturally occurring mordant dyes provide an alternative to insecticides in protecting wool textiles from insect attack. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 322–328, 2005