Impact of NaOH Concentration on Deweaving of Cotton Fabric in Aqueous Solutions

Hang Zhang Cao, Yiqian Yao, Gary Halada, Hye Jung Jung and Taejin Kim
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Hang Zhang Cao: Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Yiqian Yao: Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Gary Halada: Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Hye Jung Jung: Da Vinci College of General Education, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
Taejin Kim: Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: In the past decade, there has been increasing attention paid to the recycling of cotton fabric waste. In the present study, different concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) ranging from 1 M to 4 M were used to thermomechanically deweave cotton fabric. The fabrics treated with 1 M NaOH and 2 M NaOH were partially deweaved, whereas those treated with 3 M NaOH and 4 M NaOH were completely deweaved. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to analyze the chemistry and structure of the cotton fabric. The FTIR spectra indicated that the structure of cotton fabrics treated with 1–2 M NaOH were similar to that of pristine fabric, while the presence of NaOH was observed. In the case of samples treated with 3–4 M NaOH, both the peak positions and the band intensities were changed, in addition to the formation of cellulose II. FTIR spectra for the recycled NaOH-treated cotton fabrics were compared, and no major structural changes were identified. A post-treatment with deionized (DI) water removed excess Na + ions, with the sample showing a similar molecular structure to that of the pristine material. These results suggest the feasibility of recycling aqueous NaOH for post-washing treatment as a new method for recycling cellulosic fabric waste.

Keywords: cotton fabric; recycling; sodium hydroxide; deweaving; Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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