Electrocatalytically Oxidized Starch as Sizing and Finishing Agent

HEREIN an industrial innovation was presented, where it ……provides cleaner, safer, and cheaper practice for sizing of cotton and cotton/polyester blend warp yarns. The innovation based on the use of electrocatalytically prepared oxidized starch using mixed oxidant generated via brine electrolysis as sizing agent. At electrolysis conditions: current density 7.5mA/cm2-12mA/cm2, temperature 30°C, initial pH 3, duration of the electrolysis 1 hr supporting sodium chloride concentration 7.5g/l, and material to liquor ratio 1:10, via Rhodium –titanium thermally activated modified electrode. Good sizing agent with suitable viscosity which leads to both formation of a film and penetration of the yarn was obtained. The apparent viscosity (151mpa.s-1/516) obtained at the above mentioned electrolysis conditions represents the proper oxidized starch used as sizing agent. This new formula leads to the reduction of the softener used with increasing sizing process efficiency.