Antimicrobial agents are applied on textiles to suppress growth of microorganism, odour generation as well as its deterioration. Cotton fabric was finished with three different types of antimicrobial agents (1) Ultrafresh NMV2: a triclosan based product, (2) N9 Pure silver: a dispersion of pure silver metal, and (3) chitosan to develop antimicrobial characteristics. Finished fabrics were evaluated for their effectiveness against Gram positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) in terms of percentage reduction in CFU of bacteria. The influence of finishing methods, via. pad-dry and pad-dry-cure followed by repeated launderings, concentrations of antibacterial agents, and pH were optimised. The antimicrobial performance was evaluated prior to laundering and after each five laundering cycles; results were statistically analysed and effects on physical properties of the finished fabric were also evaluated. Triclosan was found to be significantly effective at low concentrations, whereas silver showed remarkably good antimicrobial activity at or above 10 g/L and chitosan was comparably less active compared to others. Cyclic laundering showed statistically significant effect on activity of finishes up to five cycles but it was almost reduced to half for chitosan.
Cotton apparels possess inherent tendency to form wrinkles under external stress. Conventionally selective cross-linking agents in presence of specific catalyst are applied on cotton to supress formation of creases or wrinkles via pad-dry-cure technique at high curing temperature under acidic conditions imparting stability and elasticity to the fabric. Extensive research carried out in this field identifies invariable deterioration in mechanical properties of finished cotton. In this study, two different cross-linking agents, i.e. modified DMDHEU and citric acid working on etherification and esterification crosslinking reaction with cellulose respectively were applied on cotton through selection of factors using Box Behnken experimental design in conjunction with response surface analysis and regression methods to study their DP ratings as well as other mechanical properties. Significant factors were further drastically narrowed down to reach to most specific concentrations of cross-linker, catalyst as well as other chemicals along with finishing parameters. It was found that modified DMDHEU performed better in terms of DP rating as well as overall physical properties as compared to those obtained with citric acid.
Soiling of textiles is an irresistible process that deteriorates the appearance of fabric caused by gradual accumulation of soil on it. Cotton fabrics were finished with two different types of soil releasing agents, viz. Oleophobol CPR (fluorocarbon based) and Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC-Na) using Box-Behnken and Full factorial designs, respectively and the effect of factors and their levels on soil release property of fabric was studied. Finished fabrics were tested for two different soils i.e., mustard oil and hot coffee. From soiled and laundered fabrics soil release was evaluated for soil release rating as well as instrumental prediction with K/S value to measure discolouration of fabric due to soil. The CMC-Na salt finished cotton fabric picked up significantly more soil compared to that with Oleophobol CPR which resisted deposition of soil on fabric. Cotton fabrics finished with both of these showed excellent soil release with mustard oil and had better finish durability with Oleophobol CPR. Physical properties were comparable except stiffness which was high in CMC-Na finished cotton.
Dyeing of cotton with sulfur dyes is preferred to develop deep shades at low cost with all-round good fastness, except to chlorine. Sulfur dye is water insoluble; dyeing of cotton with this dye necessitates reduction and solubilization of dye with sodium sulfide at boil followed by oxidation with acidic potassium dichromate. Application of dichromate develops stiffness on dyed cotton due to the precipitation of chromium compounds, causing occasional change in tone and increasing the solid content of the discharged waste water. In this work, the feasibility of laccase as a potential oxidizing catalyst was studied for the oxidation of sulfur-dyed cotton in an attempt to substitute toxic dichromate. Attempts were also made to precipitate unused sulfur dye from the exhausted dyebath using laccase and reuse of the precipitated dye for the fresh dyeing of cotton.
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