Conventional and certain toxic finishes for polyester fabric are more effective than bio-based finishes. The purpose of this study it to improve the performance of the eco-friendly and bio-based finishes through innovative methods.
This research presents novel ozone-based textile finishing processes for polyester fabric using different finishes. Resins (Dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea and citric acid), water repellent finishes (Phobotax and stearic acid), flame retardant finishes (Pyrovatax and diammonium hydrogen phosphate) and softener finishes (Silicone, polyethylene and fatty acid) are used. Consequently, this research evaluates the performance of bio-based finishes through three novel ozone treatment processes. These processes are pre-ozonation, in situ ozonation and post-ozonation. Unexposed samples are considered benchmark samples. Ozone is used in a controlled manner at low dosage.
The effectiveness of the novel ozone-based finishing processes for polyester fabric has been confirmed with relevant finish performance tests. FTIR analysis, air permeability, absorbency and wicking results also support enhanced performance of ozone-exposed polyester fabric as compared to the benchmark.
Typically, ozone is reported as a color or finish destroyer, such as in wastewater treatment or bleaching, at much higher dosages. This research reported the ozone-based bio-finishing and conventional finishing processes for the four most-used finishes under controlled ozone dosages.
