engleski

Surface modification of polyester fabric at lower temperature

Polyester hydrolysis is conventionally carried out using alkali at a temperature higher than 100 °C. For the purpose of economy and energy savings, the possibility of polyester hydrolysis at reduced temperature was investigated. For this purpose, standard polyester fabrics (PES) were treated in 1.5 M NaOH with addition of the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (HDTMAC) as an accelerator at temperature range from 70 to 90 °C in the time 5-60 min. The change in mass per unit area and breaking force, whiteness, and ability to manage moisture were tested according to standardized methods. The results were compared with the start PES fabric and the reference sample, alkaline hydrolyzed at 100 °C. For selected treatments Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis was performed using FE-SEM, Mira II, LMU, Tescan. It has been shown that it is possible to carry out alkaline hydrolysis at a lower temperature with the addition of an accelerator. Treatment at 80 °C with the addition of HDTMAC in 30 minutes gives the best results, and such a process is energetically and economically sustainable.

polyester, alkaline hydrolysis, accelerator, moisture management, SEM.

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