Fixation of activated carbon powder on knitted cotton fabrics

Abstract

This research was concerned with the fixation of activated carbon powder from coconut shell on knitted cotton fabrics using butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer binder. The application was carried out by pad dry cure technique; first padding with activated carbon dispersion and then binder solution. The fixation was performed at the temperature ranging from 140 -170 degree Celsius. The adsorption efficiency was evaluated by methylene blue number and percent formaldehyde absorption. Wash fastness and rubbing fastness as well as properties evaluation of treated fabrics were performed. The results showed that activated carbon was fixed onto knitted fabric through binder film network. An increase in the amount of binder, fixation temperature and curing time improved the fastness properties of activated carbon but reduced the absorption efficiency of activated carbon, judged by the reductions of iodine number and percent formaldehyde absorption. After washing, the absorption efficiency of fixed activated carbon was recovered. This phenomenon was believed that during washing crack and peel-off of binder film might occur, allowing an increase in the adsorption capacity observed. The optimum conditions for activated carbon fixation were recommended as follows : the amount of binder of 50 gram per liter, fixation temperature of 150 degree Celsius and curing time of 4 minute and wash-off process after treatment.