This paper reports electrokinetic phenomena concerning the properties of textile fabrics that are crucial for dyeing and finishing processes. These interface phenomena influence the adsorption of surfactants, optical brighteners, dyes and finishing agents due to interaction forces between the fibre surface and solution. Zeta potential, isoelectric point, point of zero charge and the amount of surface charge of standard adjacent fabrics (cotton, wool, viscose rayon, polyamide, polyester and acrylic) have been determined. Electrokinetic potential was measured by a method involving streaming potential/current using an electrokinetic analyser. The specific amount of surface charge was calculated by a back‐titration method.

Mercerisation changes the fine structure, morphology and conformation of cotton cellulose chains (cellulose I to cellulose II), resulting in a variation in fibre strength and lustre as well as adsorption properties. Recently it has been shown that mercerisation also changes the electrokinetic behaviour of cotton. The aim of the work presented here is to study the behaviour in unmercerised and mercerised cotton. The zeta potential of cotton fibres was measured by the streaming current method, using an EKA electrokinetic analyser. The relationships between zeta potential and the pH of a potassium chloride solution on the one hand and the point of zero charge (PZC) on the other, determined by titration with a cationic surfactant (cetylpyridinium chloride), were investigated.

Microplastics have become one of the most serious environmental hazards today, raising fears that concentrations will continue to rise even further in the near future. Micro/nanoparticles are formed when plastic breaks down into tiny fragments due to mechanical or photochemical processes. Microplastics are everywhere, and they have a strong tendency to interact with the ecosystem, putting biogenic fauna and flora at risk. Polyester (PET) and polyamide (PA) are two of the most important synthetic fibres, accounting for about 60% of the total world fibre production. Synthetic fabrics are now widely used for clothing, carpets, and a variety of other products. During the manufacturing or cleaning process, synthetic textiles have the potential to release microplastics into the environment. The focus of this paper is to explore the main potential sources of microplastic pollution in the environment, providing an overview of washable polyester materials.

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