New Eco-Friendly Method of Cellulosic Product Bleaching with Simultaneous Disinfection

Abstract

In this article, a bleaching method with simultaneous disinfection using hydrogen peroxide in the gas phase (Vaporised Hydrogen Peroxide-VHP) is presented as an innovative, environmentally friendly, low-temperature method without wastewater generation. After the process, the cellulose products are characterised by acceptable whiteness and microbiological purity. The method presented is an eco-friendly alternative for the conventional water-and energy intensive bleaching process with reference to products made of cellulosic fibres to be applied in special applications: medical (gauze, cotton wool, bandages) and hygienic (e.g. face masks used in the prophylaxis of bacterial and/or viral infections). After tests of the sensitising effect on animals, the bleached materials were considered safe for potential users.

Environmentally Friendly Bleaching Process of the Cellulose Fibres Materials Using Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide in the Gas Phase

“…There were also papers on the antibacterial cotton fabric prepared with other antibacterial agents [119][120][121][122] The results of the microbiological tests (Table 10) indicated that the gas-phase bleaching process of cellulose samples using oxidising agents like ozone and vaporised hydrogen peroxide resulted in high biocidal efficiency against Gram (+) S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and Gram (-) E. coli (ATCC 11229) bacteria strains. The use of VHP was also applied earlier in the process of waste-free, low-temperature bleaching with simultaneous disinfection [Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria, moulds, fungi and spore forms] of cellulose fibre materials [47]. Due to the fact that after the bleaching using each bleaching agent-VHP and ozone separately-a very good biocidal effect was achieved against the tested microorganisms, and antimicrobial activity tests were no longer performed after the combined bleaching process using both-VHP and ozone.…”

“…There are few reports in the scientific literature about the use of vaporised hydrogen peroxide for the bleaching of textile products. In recent years, VHP has been used by the authors of this paper for bleaching and disinfection of cotton textile products [ 47 ]. This innovative, waste-free and low-temperature process allows to obtain bleached textile products characterized by an acceptable whiteness and microbiological purity, devoid of the following microorganisms: bacteria— Staphylococcus aureus , spores Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus atrophaeus , as well as fungi— Chaetomium globusom and Aspergillus niger .…”

“…This innovative, waste-free and low-temperature process allows to obtain bleached textile products characterized by an acceptable whiteness and microbiological purity, devoid of the following microorganisms: bacteria— Staphylococcus aureus , spores Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus atrophaeus , as well as fungi— Chaetomium globusom and Aspergillus niger . This process can be an alternative to the conventional water- and energy-consuming bleaching process using aqueous hydrogen peroxide for products with special applications, such as medical (gauze, cotton wool, bandages) and hygienic—protective masks for the human respiratory system used as a prevention of bacterial and/or viral disease transmission [ 47 ].…”

Agro-Waste Natural Fiber Sample Preparation Techniques for Bio-Composites Development: Methodological Insights

“…In comparison with the conventional water-based approach, this proposed supercritical bleaching process conserves substantial amounts of water and energy, establishing it as an eco-friendlier option for producing flax rove and other materials used in the textile industry. Furthermore, Sojka-Ledakowicz et al [67] introduced a bleaching method that employs the hydrogen peroxide in the gaseous phase. Their results demonstrated that vaporized hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching is not only environmentally friendly but also operates at lower temperatures, saves energy and generates minimal waste compared to the conventional water-and energy-intensive bleaching process.…”

Bobin Boyamada Hidrojen Peroksit ile Ağartma İşleminin Etkilerinin İncelenmesi

“…Ozonun soğukta ilave kimyasal madde gerektirmeden istenen reaksiyonları verebildiği ve redoks potansiyelinin hidrojen peroksidinkinden bile yüksek olduğu belirtilmiştir [13]. Geleneksel yönteme çevre dostu bir alternatif olarak gösterilen hidrojen peroksitin gaz fazında kullanıldığı ağartma metodu ile düşük sıcaklıkta atık su oluşturmadan işlemin gerçekleştirilebileceği ve işlem sonunda elde edilen numunenin kabul edilebilir beyazlık derecesinde olduğu belirtilmiştir [14]. Literatür taramaları sonucunda tekstil materyaline zarar vermeden, ekolojik ve ekonomik üretimin yapılmasının günümüzde artık bir gereklilik haline geldiği görülmektedir.…”