Effects of Commercial Nitrilase Hydrolysis on Acrylic Fabrics

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the hydrolytic activity of a commercial nitrilase and optimize nitrilase treatment conditions to apply eco-friendly finishing on acrylic fabrics. To assess the possibility of hydrolyzing nitrile bonds in acrylic fabric using a commercial nitrilase, the amounts of hydrolysis products, ammonia and carboxylate ions, were measured. The treatment conditions were optimized via the amount of ammonia. The formation of carboxylate ions on the fabric surface was detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and wettability measurements. After nitrilase treatment, ammonia was detected in the treatment liquid; thus, nitrilase hydrolyzed the nitrile bonds in acrylic woven fabric. The largest amount of ammonia was released into the treatment liquid under the following conditions: pH 8.0, 40°C, and a treatment time of 5 h. The formation of carboxylate ions on the acrylic woven fabric surface by nitrilase hydrolysis was proven by the increased O1s content measuring of XPS analysis. From comparison of the results of nitrilase and alkaline hydrolysis, the white index and strength of the alkali-hydrolyzed acrylic fabric decreased, whereas those of the nitrilase-hydrolyzed samples were maintained. The nitrilase hydrolysis improved the sensitivity of acrylic fabrics to basic dye similarly to alkaline hydrolysis without the drawbacks of yellowing and decreased strength caused by alkaline hydrolysis.