Lipase treatment to improve hydrophilicity of polyester fabrics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the conditions of the treatment using commercial lipase to improve the hydrophilicity of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics. Design/methodology/approach The lipase treatment conditions, such as the pH, temperature, treatment time, and concentration, are controlled by measuring the hydrolytic activity, moisture regain, and wettability of the treated fabrics. The effects of calcium ions on the moisture regain and wettability of the treated fabrics are also evaluated. Findings The lipase treatment conditions for PET fabrics are controlled at a pH of 7.5, a temperature of 30°C, a treatment time of 60 min, and a lipase concentration of 50 percent (owf). The moisture regain of the PET fabrics that are treated with lipase improved 3.3 times that of the untreated PET fabric. Calcium chloride did not affect the moisture regain of the treated fabrics but affected their wettability. The surface of the PET fabrics that are treated under optimum conditions and in the presence of calcium chloride showed many cracks and voids, unlike the surface of the untreated PET fabrics. Research limitations/implications The lipase treatment did not affect the handle of the PET fabrics in the present paper because the weight loss is very small. Originality/value In this paper, the control conditions for the improvement of the hydrophilicity of PET fabrics using the low‐cost commercial lipase are determined. The results of the study could further the environment‐friendly finishing of PET fabrics.