Abstract
Effect of anionic surfactant on the alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching of wool fabric was studied. Three different anionic Na-n-alkylsulfate with 8, 12, and 16 C-atoms were selected and applied to the bleaching bath to increase bleaching efficiency and to minimize the damage of wool fiber. The sorption of anionic surfactant by wool fiber increased with longer chain length. There was an improvement in the whiteness and a reduction in fiber damage by using a concentration of $10^{-2}$ mole/L Na-n-alkylsulfate in the bleaching bath. Cystine content increased and alkali solubility decreased with increasing the concentration of anionic surfactants at pH 9.5. No significant damage of wool scale was also observed under optimum bleaching conditions.