Lipase treatment of polyester fabrics

The aim of this paper is to improve moisture regain of PET fabrics using a lipase treatment. Effects of nine lipase sources, lipase activator and nonionic surfactant on moisture regain of PET fabrics are examined. Moisture regains of lipase-treated samples improve by two times in average compared with untreated and buffer-treated samples. Alkaline treatment creates larger pitting by more aggressive attack into fiber which is proved by SEM and water contact angle measurement. Moisture regain by alkaline treatment (0.568% +/- 0.08) does not improve. However, lipase-treatment (L2 treatment) improves moisture regain up to 2.4 times (1.272% +/- 0.05). Although lipase treatment is more moderate than alkaline treatment, lipase hydrolysis on PET fabrics improves moisture regain, efficiently. K/S values improved confirm that carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are produced on the surface of PET fabrics by lipase hydrolysis. Moisture regain and dyeability improve by lipase hydrolysis on PET fabrics.