Page 119 - Advances in Textile Biotechnology

100 Advances in textile biotechnology

Softeners
Repellents
0.01%
14.0%
1.4% 22.1% Flame retardants
2.3%
Products for coating and
0.3% fibre/thread bonding
Products for easy-care
10.0%
4.1% Hand builders

Antimicrobial products
13.9% Antistatic agents
13.5%
Non-slip agents
Anti-soiling products
18.4%
Others
5.1 Distribution of textile chemical finishers by amount in 2001

(adapted from Schindler and Hauser, 2004).

textile synthetic fibres as substrates, which are known for their stability and

chemical inertia, under mild conditions, is evidence of the vast potential of
these catalysts in industrial processes.
There are several reports of successful enzymatic surface modifi cations
of the major three synthetic textile fibres: polyester [poly(ethylene tere-

phthalate), PET], polyamide (PA) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The targets
for enzyme catalysis are the ester and amide bonds of the polymer back-
bone of PET and PA, respectively, which are the subject of chapter 4 of this

book. In this chapter, the focus is on the biomodification of two man-made

fibres: acrylic and cellulose acetate. For both fibres, enzymes can be used to
accomplish the formation of reactive and/or hydrophilic groups at the
surface by hydrolysis of their pendant groups, without affecting, in theory,
the integrity of the main chain of the polymers.

5.2 Basic concepts and principles
5.2.1 Side chains from polyacrylonitrile as substrates
for enzymes

Acrylonitrile is the main monomer of synthetic fibres commonly called

acrylics which are defined, according to the Federal Trade Commission of

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