It was the goal of the authors to create a set of reference cottons for maturity measurements. To achieve this they selected 104 cotton bales representing the two principal cultivated species. The vast majority of the bales originated in the USA, but some foreign-grown cotton bales were also selected (Egypt, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Cameroon, Syria, Benin, and Australia). A representative sample of approximately 30 kg (70 pounds) was taken from each bale. Each sample was homogenized according to the protocol used by the International Cotton Calibration Standard Committee (ICCSC) to produce reference cottons. Eight sub-samples per bale were taken and a minimum of 500 cross-sections per sub-sample were analyzed. A broad range of average values of fiber perimeter and fiber maturity for the 104 bales were obtained. Evaluation of the mathematical and statistical relationships pertinent to maturity and fineness revealed that four critical criteria for adequate calibration standards were met. Therefore, this population of bales constitutes a good base for the calibration of the indirect measurement instruments for maturity and fineness.
Cotton fiber maturity is a major yield component and an important fiber quality trait that is directly linked to the quantity of cellulose deposited during the secondary cell wall (SCW) biogenesis. Cotton fiber development consists of five major overlapping stages: differentiation, initiation, polar elongation, secondary cell wall development, and maturation. The transition period between 16 and 21 dpa (days post anthesis) is regarded to represent a major developmental stage between the primary cell wall and the SCW. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the structural changes that occur during the different developmental stages. The IR spectra of fibers harvested at different stages of development (10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 27, 30, 36, 46, and 56 dpa) show the presence of vibrations located at 1,733 cm -1 (C=O stretching originating from esters or amides) and 1,534 cm -1 (NH 2 deformation corresponding to proteins or amino acids). The results converge towards the conclusion that the transition phase between the primary cell wall and the secondary cell wall occurs between 17 and 18 dpa in fibers from TX19 cultivar, while this transition occurs between 21 and 24 dpa in fibers from TX55 cultivar.
In this study, cotton fabric was successfully modified by titania nanosols prepared by means of the sol-gel process with tetrabutyl orthotitanate [Ti(OC(4)H(9))(4)] as the active ingredient. The cotton fabric was padded with the nanosol solution, dried at 60 degrees C, and cured at 150 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of a titania film on the fiber surface. The photocatalytic properties of titania-nanosol-treated cotton fabric were investigated. The results showed that stains of coffee and red wine were successfully decomposed by exposure of the stained fabric to UV radiation. Furthermore, titania-nanosol treatment imparted to the cotton fabric a very good protection against UV radiation. The durability of the treatment was investigated by performing repeated home laundering, and the results showed no effect of laundering on the UV-protection efficiency.
ABSTRACT:In this study, cotton fabric was successfully modified to have an antibacterial property through use of the sol-gel process. Dodecanethiol-capped silver nanoparticles, which have powerful antibacterial activity, were incorporated in silica sol. The starting materials were silver nitrate, tetraoctylammonium bromide, sodium borohydride, chloroform, 1-dodecanethiol, ethanol, tetraethylorthosilicate, and water. The cotton fabric was padded with dodecanethiol-capped silver nanoparticle-doped sol, dried at 60°C, and cured at 150°C. Scanning electron microscopy showed a uniform and continuous layer of doped sol on the fiber surface. The antibacterial effects of the treated cotton fabric against Escherichia coli were examined and found to be excellent.
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