Bleaching
Introduction
The natural fibre and fabrics even after scouring
still contain naturally occurring coloring matter.
This yellowish and brown discolouration may be
related to flavone(2-Phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one)
pigments of the cotton flower.
The climate,
soil, and
weather can also cause various degrees of
yellowness.
Introduction
Tips of leaves or stalks coming in contact
with the moist ball after opening will cause
dark spots and discolouration.
Discolouration may also come from
◦ dirt,
◦ dust,
◦ insects or
◦ from harvesting or
◦ processing equipment in the form of oils and
greases.
Objectives of Bleaching
To produce white fabrics by destroying the
colouring matter with the help of bleaching
agents with minimum degradation of the
fibers.
These agents either
◦ oxidise or
◦ reduce the colouring matter which is washed out.
A consistent white base fabric has real value
when dyeing light to medium shades
because it is much easier to reproduce shade
Mechanism of Bleaching
5
Very complicated and not completely understood.
Conjugation is necessary for an organic molecule
to perform as a dyestuff so breaking it is one of
the ideas.
Double bonds are known to be oxidize into single.
Bleaching Agents
7
The major bleaching agents used in textile
preparation are
sodium hypochlorite,
hydrogen peroxide and
sodium chlorite
Mechanism of HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
bleaching
8
Mechanism
◦ It is a weak acid and ionizes in water in the presence of
alkali to form a hydrogen ion and a perhydroxyl ion
◦ H2O2 H+ + HOO-
◦ HOO- O* + OH-
◦ O* :it breakes double bond present in carbon atoms of
colour impurities which causes bleaching.
Stability of Hydrogen Per
oxide
Pure hydrogen peroxide is fairly stable in
presence of sulphuric acid and phosphoric
acid if stored away from sunlight in a
perfectly smooth bottle.
In alkaline medium it is less stable and even
traces of alkali (NaOH, Na2CO3) decompose
aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.
The addition of alcohol, glycerine also
stabilise hydrogen peroxide.
Stabilizers for HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
◦ To control the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
◦ The process of regulation or control of perhydroxyl
ion to prevent rapid decomposition of bleach and to
minimise fibre degradation is described as
stabilisation
◦ Stabilisers for peroxide normally work by controlling
the formation of free radicals
◦ Stabilizers function
By providing buffering action to control the pH at the
optimum level
To make complex with metals which catalyze the degradation
of the fibers
Stabilizers include sodium silicate, organic compounds
and phosphates
Sodium silicate is the most conventional, easily
available and widely used stabiliser
Effect of pH
◦ At pH < 10, H2O2 is the major specie so it is inactive as a
bleach.
◦ At pH 10 to 11, there is a moderate concentration of
perhydroxyl ions.
◦ pH 10.2 to 10.7 is optimum for controlled bleaching.
◦ At pH > 11, there is a rapid generation of perhydroxyl ions.
◦
◦ When the pH reaches 11.8, all of the hydrogen peroxide is
converted to perhydroxyl ions and bleaching is out of control.
◦ hence an stabiliser is frequently added in the bleaching bath.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
12
Effect of Temperature
◦ The rate of bleaching increases with the
increase in temperature, but at the same time
solution becomes unstable and degradation of
cotton increases.
◦ Better bleaching occurs at 95 to 100 C.
◦ This feature makes it ideal for continuous
operations using insulated J-boxes or open-
width steamers.
Continuous Bleaching
Machinery
13
Continuous Bleaching
Machinery
14
Continuous Bleaching
Machinery 15
Risks Involved with Peroxide
Bleaching
Catalytic damage results in
◦ small spots of unevenly dyed fabric
◦ small holes
Injurious effect on skin when used in a
concentrated form.
Evaluation of Bleaching
Process 18
Whiteness Measurement:
The CIE Whiteness Index value (CIE WI) is
determined using AATCC Test method (110–1995)
This gives a measure of how well the yellow
impurities were removed by bleaching.
The standard ceramic tile is measured and set to
equal 100.
The other specimen are rated against this standard.
Unbleached fabrics will give values in the 50 to 60
range. Well bleached fabrics will rank 80-90 .
References
“Chemical technology in the pre-treatment
processes of textiles” by S.R. Kar Makar
