Structural and chemical modifications in linen fabrics due to scouring and bleaching

This study examines the effects of scouring and bleaching on the morphological properties of the linen fabric. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals slight changes in the surface characteristics of scoured and scoured & bleached linen fabrics compared to greige linen fabric, with increased surface roughness. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms that the fundamental cellulosic bonds (–OH, C-O-C and C-H stretching) remain intact, as indicated by similar absorption peaks across greige, scoured and scoured & bleached linen fabrics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further supports these findings, showing an increase in the amorphous region in the scoured, and scoured & bleached linen fabrics.