Influence of Various Pre-Treatment Processes on Selective Oxidation of Cotton Yarns

Various pre-treated cotton yarns were oxidized with potassium periodate. The effects of pre-treatments on oxidation were studied by quantitatively assessing functional groups, while the extent of cotton yarn degradation was determined by investigating pre-treated yarn mechanical properties and the degree of polymerization. Pre-treatments included various scouring procedures and process sequences. The type of scouring has a significant influence on the aldehyde and carboxyl groups before oxidation, while the pre-treatment sequence did not. The number of aldehyde groups was significantly influenced by oxidation and strongly dependent on the pre-treatment sequence applied. Alkaline-scoured yarns had the least number of aldehyde groups both before and after oxidation, followed by alkaline pectinase and acid pectinase scoured, regardless of the pre-treatment sequence.