Application of a novel bleach activator to low temperature bleaching of raw cotton fabrics

A novel activator sodium 4-(2-decanoyloxyethoxycarbonyloxy) benzene sulfonate, whose chemical structure is similar to that of the widely studied activator nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate was found to be effective for the peroxide bleaching of raw cotton fabrics at low temperatures. The variables affecting bleaching effects were discussed. Temperature showed the greatest impact on the activated bleaching and raising temperature was accompanied with a substantial increase in whiteness. The bleaching performance of the activation system was compared with that of conventional peroxide bleaching. The results indicated that the activated bleaching could provide cotton fabrics with competitive whiteness, wettability, and dyeability. Thus, the novel activating system can be applied to the low-temperature bleaching of cellulosic fibers with a great benefit of energy saving.