The Open Textile Journal

2009, 2 : 39-47
Published online 2009 November 05. DOI: 10.2174/1876520300902010039
Publisher ID: TOTEXTILEJ-2-39

Characterization on Surface of Mercerized and Enzymatic Scoured Cotton after Different Temperature of Drying

Igor Jordanov and Biljana Mangovska
Ss. Cyril & Methodius University, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, R. Boskovic 16, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.

ABSTRACT

The influence of different temperature of drying after mercerizing on enzymatic scouring through changes in the surface properties and scouring efficiency were investigated. Mercerized cotton yarns dried at room temperature (20°C) and 80°C were scoured with alkaline and acid pectinases. Alkaline scouring was also done for comparing. Surface properties and scouring efficiency were followed through the CIE whiteness degree, CIELAB coordinates, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, staining the non-cellulosic components with appropriate dyes, wettability and surface fee energy. Mercerization changes the cotton surface, and removes part of the cuticle components. Drying at 80°C melted down the residual waxes covering the surface of the fiber, enhancing the alkaline and alkaline pectinase scouring and enabling acid pectinase scouring. While way of scouring has significant influence on the most measured properties, temperature of drying has significant influence on CIE whiteness, CIELAB coordinates a*, b*, L*BB and on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy value O/C.

Keywords:

Cotton, characterization, mercerizing, pectinases, scouring, surface.