Interaction of surfactants on new textile products

Sol-gel and plasma technologies have been used to develop 3 new or improved properties on textiles: reduced transparency, improved dye uptake, and highly hydrophobic textiles. Interaction, of surfactants on these 3 new textile products has been evaluated. It was observed that current detergent formulations are able to maintain the textile opacity and improve whiteness degree from initial non-treated fabrics, especially with color care special detergents. However, UV absorption values are not correctly preserved by current laundry detergents. On the other hand, color care special detergents preserve the original dye fastness on plasma pre-treated textiles. Finally, it has been shown that plasma operational conditions to obtain hydrophobic nanocoatings are more critical than types of detergents used in laundry processes. Oxidants, pH, aggregation state, insoluble builders and the presence of dye-transfer inhibitors on detergent formulations have to be optimized to minimize fiber damage and maintain efficacy of textile properties.