Sorption of Perchloroethylene and Toluene by Wool and Other Textiles: Influence of Co-solvents

Abstract

Perchloroethylene and toluene are sorbed by dry wool very slowly at room temperature. Even at the boil several hours of treatment are required to introduce 2% by weight of these solvents into wool. The rate of uptake of perchloroethylene and toluene by conditioned wool is approximately ten times greater, and treatment with a perchloroethylene/water emulsion causes a further increase in rate of perchloroethylene uptake. Addition of small amounts of methanol to perchloroethylene and toluene causes a vast increase in rate of uptake of the high molecular weight solvents. Wool treated with perchloroethylene/methanol (9: 1) for one hour at room temperature retains 14% perchloroethylene on drying. Similar effects are observed on treatment of cotton and polyester with solvent mixtures. Desorption of solvents from wool due to heating or extraction with methanol or water has also been studied.