Electrokinetic properties of textile fabrics

This paper reports electrokinetic phenomena concerning the properties of textile fabrics that are crucial for dyeing and finishing processes. These interface phenomena influence the adsorption of surfactants, optical brighteners, dyes and finishing agents due to interaction forces between the fibre surface and solution. Zeta potential, isoelectric point, point of zero charge and the amount of surface charge of standard adjacent fabrics (cotton, wool, viscose rayon, polyamide, polyester and acrylic) have been determined. Electrokinetic potential was measured by a method involving streaming potential/current using an electrokinetic analyser. The specific amount of surface charge was calculated by a back-titration method.