Investigation of the swelling of cotton fibers using aqueous glycine solutions

The treatment of cotton fibers using different chemicals, such as alkalis, acids and salt solutions, has captured the attention of researchers because of their important effects in dyeing, cross-linking and mercerizing processes. However, these agents are difficult in terms of process application and the requirement for major effluent treatment prior to discharge. In this paper, we report on the treatment of cotton in aqueous glycine solutions that were moderated, utilizing glycine’s amphoteric nature at different pH values, to enhance the morphological and moisture regain properties of cotton fiber. Treatment in an aqueous glycine solution buffered to pH 11 increased fiber ribbon width by 4.5%, cross-sectional area by 53% and moisture regain by 16%. Changes were dependent on the treatment solution pH value. This paper describes the glycine treatments and their influence on the cotton fiber cross-sectional morphology and regain properties. The results suggest that at suitable pH values aqueous glycine solutions have the ability to enhance cotton fibers in ways very similar to mercerizing.