J. Int.

Environmental Application & Science,

Vol. VII (II): 242-248 (2012)

Gamma Irradiated Viscose and Viscose/PET Nonwoven Blended Fabrics

Treated with Chitosan and Their Use as CO/CO2 Gas Capturing Filter
K.E. Elnagar1, M.F. Shaaban2, S. H. Samaha1 and E.A. Elalfy2
1

Textile Metrology Lab, National Institute for Standards (NIS), Haram Giza Egypt; 2Textile Research Division,
National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Received December 26, 2011; Accepted March 13, 2012

Abstract: Chitosan is used to treat cellulosic fabrics (i.e. cotton as well as viscose)
to give the fabric antibacterial activity towards gram positive and gram negative
bacteria. Blending Viscose with PET gives them combined properties which
encourage their use more than each separate fabric. Viscose and Viscose/PET
(50/50) non-woven fabrics were subjected to - radiation using different doses
70,100,150 and 200 Gy then treated with chitosan at different concentrations 0.5,
1.0, 1.5 and 2% (o.w.f), using pad-dry-cure technique. The produced fabrics were
tested for antibacterial activity using gram negative (Escherichia Coli) and gram
positive (Staphylococcus aurous) bacteria. Also, the treated fabrics were tested as
green house gas capture fabric system using streams of CO and CO 2 gases and the
penetrated amount of each gas was determined quantitavily.
Keywords: Chitosan, Viscose, Viscose/PET blend, - irradiation, antibacterial
finishing, Green house gas.

Introduction
Chitin is a polysaccharide found in the outer skeleton of arthropods including insects, crabs,
shrimps, and lobsters (Huang et al, 2008). It is the second most plentiful, naturally occurring polymer,
after cellulose. Chitosan, derived from Chitin, is prepared by partial deacetylation of chitin (55-60%) 2.
Chitosan has a high molecular weight, usually on the order of tens of thousands or even millions of
kilodalton (kDa). Chitin has inter-and intramolecular hydrogen bonding which makes it chemically
stable and of low water solubility. Chitosan is soluble only in certain dilute acid solutions which limits
its wider use (Lim et al, 2004), but it can be hydrolyzed into low molecular weight oligosaccharides in
addition to having nitrogen content (6.89%). These properties resulted in some unique applications in
industries ranging from health and beauty aids to water purification, biomedical applications,
agriculture, biotechnology, nutrition, and treatments in the finishing process of textile fibers (Nam et
al, 1999; Zhao et al, 2003; Yu, 1997). Chitosan can be applied as a cotton finish to produce fabrics
with properties similar to cellulose fabrics or to enhance some properties such as anti bacterial
behavior. This has become an area of increased research interest (Knittel et al, 2006).
Introduction of Gamma- irradiation in the pretreatment processes for fabric dyeing and finishing
had a pronouncing effect, such as increasing fabric's dyeability 8, and increasing crease recovery
processes (Zohdy, 2005; Hassan, 2009).
On the Other hand carbon dioxide is known as a representative greenhouse gas that causes
global warming. To prevent global warming by the greenhouse effect a wide range of technologies
currently exist for capturing and separating CO 2 from fossil fuels (Rao et al, 2002). CO2 capture by
chemical absorption using an aqueous solution of amine based absorbents is a common industrial
process and has, in many cases, been found to be the most viable solution compared with other
processes (Hoff, 2006). Furthermore, in the currently used systems more than half of the capture cost
is caused by absorbent regeneration. To make these systems more practical in the near future it is
essential to reduce the absorbent regeneration cost by developing novel amine based absorbents
(Chowdhury et al, 2009; Goto et al, 2009; Shim et al, 2009; Pellegrini et al, 2010). The best-known
commercial process for CO 2 separation is the packed column system. However, because of the
disadvantages of the packed column system, which include flooding, channeling, and the need for
large-scale equipment, new technologies are needed. Gas Absorption Membrane (GAM) process is
one alternative to recovery of CO2 from waste gas streams. Hollow fiber membrane contactors
(HFMCs) offer a much larger contact area per unit volume compared to tray and/or packed columns.
They have the advantages of no flooding, no entrainment, and no foaming-limited flow rate

Corresponding: E-Mail: khnagare@hotmail.com; Tel: +201222800620; Fax: +202 33867451

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restrictions (Lina et al, 2009). A spray dryer integrated with a fabric filter is commonly used to control
the contaminants (such as acid gases and fly ash) emitted by incinerators. A fabric filter can improve
the extra removal efficiency of the pollutants since unreacted sorbents deposited upon the fabric filter
can further react with the flue gas. The acid gases include HCl, SO 2, NO, NO2, etc (Liu, 2002).
The present work aims to obtain antibacterial and poisonous gas capturing by finishing the
nonwoven viscose (100%) and viscose/PET (50/50) blended fabrics via irradiation with gamma
irradiation followed by treating the irradiated fabrics with chitosan.

Materials and Methods

Materials
Nonwoven fabrics (Viscose 100% and Viscose/PET blend (50/50)) were kindly supplied by El
Nasr Company Mehalla- Egypt. Chitosan (LMW) (Fluka), Hostapal C.V (Clarient), acetic acid,
NaOH was of grade chemicals. Gas supply used is standard gas cylinder supplied by NIST having CO
and CO2 in N2.
Methods
Gamma Irradiation
The samples were irradiated by different doses of gamma rays from 60Co source in the
Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory at the National Institute for Standards (NIS). Samples were
irradiated in air to dose ranging from 70 to 200Gy.
Chitosan treatment
Different concentrations of chitosan were prepared (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%) using 1% acetic acid
for dissolution. Then the irradiated samples were padded in previously prepared chitosan solutions.
Afterward the treated samples were squeezed to a wet pick-up of 100% and dried at 85 oC for 5 min,
then cured at 170oC for 2 min. The treated samples were washed several times with cold water and
finally dried at ambient room condition (temperature of 252 oC and relative humidity 65%5%).
Gas absorption system
One layer of the treated nonwoven samples of 1.5 cm diameter were inserted in gas flow rate (0.5
CFM) in the system shown in Figure 1. Before entering the studied gasses, the system was purged
with N2 gas for zero adjustment and avoiding the interference of the ambient gasses in the
surrounding. The gas concentration was measured before and after the sample and the reduction in the
gas concentration was calculated at 1.5 atmospheric pressure and temperature of 25 oC ( Louei et al,
2009) . Gas supply used is standard gas cylinder supplied by NIST having CO and CO 2 in N2. The final
effluent was vented through alkali trap. The measurement of gasses were done by using the Triple
plus gas detection system (Crowcon - UK)

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of gas absorbance test apparatus

Testing and Analysis
The nitrogen content: was measured according to Kjldahle's method (Vogel, 1961).
The following equation was used to calculate the nitrogen content on sample weight (Wt).

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(1)
Where; V= Volume of HCl; N= Normality of HCl and Wt= Sample's weight in gram.
Amount of Chitosan attached to the fabric was calculated by multiplying the nitrogen content in the
Chitosan used by the actual nitrogen content on the tested nonwoven sample
Antibacterial Activity: was evaluated against the gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and the gram
negative bacteria Escherichia. Coli (ATCC 6538) (AATCC 147:2008).
Traceability and uncertainty
Balance:
Kjeldahl
Oven
Volumes
Irradiation
dose

Triple
plus+

The balance used in this work was calibrated by using standard weight traceable to the kilogram
number 58. The balance of uncertainty 0.5% (coverage factor =2 for confidence level 95%)
The highest parameter in budget uncertainty came from pH equipment was calibrated by using
three standard buffers of 4 and 7 with uncertainties 0.01, produced by Hanna UK. The pH meter
of uncertainty 0.2% (coverage factor =2 for confidence level 95%)
The drying oven was calibrated at 105 using calibrated glass thermometers traceable to ITS 90.
The oven with uncertainty 0.5% (coverage factor =2 for confidence level 95%)
All glass were used in this work were calibrated and has traceability to the Egyptian National
kilogram number 58. The cylinder used with uncertainty of 0.3 ml (coverage factor =2 for
confidence level 95%)
The dose values have been measured using a secondary standard system (NPL electrometer, NE2561 ionization chamber) calibrated at Bureau International Des Poids et Measures (BIPM),
France with a combined uncertainty of 0.30%. The doses were calibrated in terms air kerma
(Kair) according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) code of practice TRS-(381)
(IAEA, 1997).
It is used to measure the CO/CO2 contents in gas stream before and after the sample studied The
uncertainty for CO measurement is 0.01% and CO 2 is 0.1% (coverage factor =2 for confidence
level 95%).

Results and Discussions

Effect of radiation doses and chitosan concentrations on nitrogen content in the sample
Figures (2 & 3) showed the effect of gamma radiation doses (70-200 Gy) and chitosan concentrations
(0.5-2.0%) on the nitrogen content of nonwoven examined fabrics (viscose 100% and
viscose/polyester 50/50). It is clear that the nitrogen content for the treated fabrics has a great
enhancement and increased to 0.40% for 1% chitosan concentration when irradiated by 70G/y dose.
This can be attributed to the effect of ionizing radiation on high polymers, which may bring types of
reactions such as formation of chemical bonds between the polymer chains of fabrics and chitosan.
While, on increasing the dose of radiation and chitosan concentrations, it is clear that the nitrogen
content decreases. It may be attributed to the fact that increasing the dose of radiation causes
ionization and degradation of chemical bonds for both polymer molecules to form peroxides and
hydroperoxides (Shallow 1973; Rongwong et al., 2009; Canal, 1998). Under such conditions, some of
the polymeric radical which would lead to cross-linking, react with oxygen to form peroxide structure
which eventually decompose and cause oxidative degradation of the main chain. A possible
mechanism of these reactions is shown in equation scheme below:

(2)
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Figure 2. Effect of radiation dose and chitosan concentration on nitrogen content of viscose nonwoven
fabric

Figure 3. Effect of radiation dose and chitosan concentration on nitrogen content of viscose/polyester
50/50 nonwoven fabric
Effect of radiation doses on CO/CO2 gas absorption of treated nonwoven fabric.
Tables 1 and 2 show the CO/CO 2 gas absorption percentage for both nonwoven viscose 100% and
viscose/PET (50/50%) fabrics irradiated and treated with chitosan solutions (0.5-2.0%). The data
reveal that as the chitosan concentration increases the gas capturing also increase for both gases. The
radiated nonwoven samples treated with different chitosan solution can be represented according to
equation 3 that explain chemical reaction mechanism between amino/amid groups in chitosan and CO 2
to produce Zwitterions intermediate (Rongwong et al., 2009).
Chitosan NH2 +CO2

Chitosan NH2+COOZwitterions intermediate

(3)

Table 1 indicates that the effect of gamma radiation dose (70-200 Gy) and chitosan (0.5-2.0%) on
CO2/CO gas absorption. Data of gas absorbed reveal that on increasing the chitosan concentration, for
each radiation dose, accompanied by increasing the gas absorption. This may be attributed to
increasing of chitosan attached onto the surface of nonwoven viscose fabric. Chitosan molecules have
amino group that capture the acidic gases (in presence of moisture). On the other hand, the data

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reflects that by increasing the irradiation doses for every chitosan concentration there is a decrement in
gas absorption. This can be attributed to the increasing of surface activation that leads to more
chitosan attached onto the surface and more cross linking that result in more air volume distribution
within the fabrics (Snezana et al., 2008).
Table 1. Effect of radiation dose and chitosan concentration on Gas absorption by viscose 100%
nonwoven fabric
Dose
(Gy)
70

100

200

Chitosan (%)

CO Absorbed (%)

CO2 Absorbed (%)

0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0

20
33
50
53
22
30
44
43
10
12
12
14

55
60
63
69
62
65
66
65
20
20
22
25

Table 2 shows the effect of gamma radiation dose (70-200Gy) and chitosan concentration (0.5-2.0%)
on the gas absorption by nonwoven viscose/PET (50/50) fabric. The data reveal that with increasing
the chitosan concentration at each individual irradiation dose, the gas absorption increased. This can
be attributed to increasing the amount of chitosan gained onto the fabric surface for both component
polyester and viscose fibers. It is also clear that from table that with increasing the radiation dose the
CO gas absorption decreased. On the other hand radiation dose slightly increase the CO 2 absorption
form 70 to 100 Gy while at 200 Gy a decreasing in absorption has been noticed. This can be attributed
due to the fact that at high doses the polymer tend to have more chain scissions more than crosslinking (Fortin et al., 2012) in all nonwoven fabric system (viscose and polyester as well as the
binding bonds between them). Irradiation doses 70 and 100 Gy have slight increment difference in gas
absorption; hence irradiation with 70Gy is preferred due to the lower energy consumption.
Table 2. Effect of radiation dose and chitosan concentration on Gas absorption by viscose/PET
(50/50) fabric
Dose
(Gy)
70

100

200

Chitosan (%)

CO Absorbed (%)

CO2 Absorbed (%)

0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0

13
18
23
25
14
17
19
21
9
10
11
11

32
35
35
40
40
45
43
43
18
19
20
22

Effect of radiation doses on antibacterial activity of treated nonwoven fabric.

Table 3 show the antibacterial activity of the nonwoven fabric treated with different chitosan
concentrations (0.5-2.0%) at each irradiation doses ranged from (70-200 Gy). All samples showed
inhibition zones that reveal to the antibacterial activity and this can be attributed to the effect of
chitosan on the inner cell membranes and organelles such as mitochondria and thus killing bacteria
(Bukkali et al., 2008).

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Table 3. Antibacterial activity of the treated Viscose 100% fabric and Viscose/PET (50/50)
fabric
Dose
Chitosan Conc.
Viscose 100% Viscose/PET (50/50) fabric
(Gy)
(%)
G(+)* G(-)*
G(+)*
G(-)*
70
0.5
+
+
+
+
1.0
+++
+++
+++
++
1.5
++
++
++
++
2.0
++
++
++
++
100
0.5
+++
+++
+++
+++
1.0
+++
+++
+++
+++
1.5
+++
+++
+++
+++
2.0
+++
+++
+++
+++
200
0.5
+++
++
++
++
1.0
+++
+++
+++
+++
1.5
++
++
++
++
2.0
++
++
++
++
G(-) gram negative (Escherichia Coli); G(+) gram positive (Staphylococcus aurous)
Sign (+) means that the sample shows antibacterial activity and no bacterial colony growth.

Conclusion
The results presented in this paper can provide basic guidelines for chitosan based absorbent
nonwoven fabric (filter/membrane) that may lead to a better approach for development of new
technologies in the CO/CO2 capture area. This new fabric can be used in gas measuring monitors as a
filter or to produce protective face mask.
Acknowledgment: The authors thank Prof. Gamal Hassan for his support in irradiation the nonwoven samples
by gamma radiations in the radiometry lab at National Institute for standards. The authors
also extend their gratitude to Prof. Dr. Mohamed Nour from the Reference Laboratory for
Air (RLA) for supporting the authors with standard reference CO/CO2 gasses.

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