Original scientific paper

The influence of the optical brighteners concentration on the degree of whiteness and UV protection of cotton fabric

Tihana Dekanić orcid.org/0000-0001-8822-9720 ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Čorak orcid.org/0000-0002-0621-1736 ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
Anita Tarbuk orcid.org/0000-0002-4539-2103 ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia *
Juraj Hofmann ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
Nikolina Marković ; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Chemically bleached cotton fabrics were optically brightened in a wide concentration range with optical brighteners (fluorescent brightening agents, FWAs) of different constitution, affinity and emission tone: stilbene derivatives Uvitex BHT and Uvitex RSB, and distyrylbiphenyl derivative Uvitex NFW with the purpose of process sustainability. The fluorescence of FWA solutions was investigated, and then cotton fabrics were optically brightened in these solutions. The influence of the FWA concentration on cotton fabric whiteness and the UV protection was researched after treatment and one cycle of washing in water. It has been shown that it is possible to achieve satisfactory whiteness and effective UV protection by applying a low concentration of FWA at a reduced temperature of 60°C, in a shorter treatment time of 30 min and at a neutral pH, which makes this treatment sustainable.

Keywords

cotton, optical brightening, fluorescence, whiteness, UV protection

Hrčak ID:

308786

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/308786

Publication date:

29.12.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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