Use of ultrasonic energy in the enzymatic desizing of cotton fabric

Enzyme process and ultrasound power are the two important clean technologies which have potential use in the textile industry like desizing, scouring, dyeing and so on. In the present work, the feasibility of introducing ultrasonic energy in enzymatic desizing process of cotton to improve the desizing efficiency is investigated. The results indicate that ultrasonic power value and cavitation effect were the two most important factors for improving the enzymatic desizing efficiency. The obvious saved treatment time show that the overall reaction rate between enzyme and starch could be accelerated by ultrasonic energy. Comparing with the conventional enzymatic desizing process, the ultrasound assisted system can save half the processing time and improve about 5 percent point in desizing efficiency.

► Enzymatic treatment of cotton fabric is a nontoxic and eco-friendly process.
► Ultrasonic can accelerate the overall reaction rate between enzyme and substrate.
► Ultrasonic energy could improve the efficiency of enzymatic desizing.
► The ultrasound aided enzymatic desizing conditions of cotton were optimized.