Decolorization of cellulose-based post-consumer textile waste in a sequence involving sodium hydroxide, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Decolorization of post-consumer, cellulose-based textile waste is crucial for high-quality fiber-to-fiber recycling. However, this process remains challenging due to the heterogeneous composition of textile waste and the presence of multiple dye classes and additives. In this study, mixed cotton and viscose (regenerated, man-made cellulose) post-consumer textile wastes were treated using a decolorization sequence comprising sodium hydroxide (E), chlorine dioxide (D), and hydrogen peroxide (P). Despite the complexity of both textile waste materials, the decolorization sequence led to significant improvements in optical properties, with brightness increasing from 10% to 74% for cotton and from 7% to 77% for viscose. The E- and D-stages were identified as the main contributors to the improvements in brightness. In addition, it was found that the viscosity of the cellulosic material, especially that of cotton, can be optimized towards specific target values by adjusting process conditions in both the D-stage and P-stage of the decolorization sequence. The introduction of magnesium in the P-stage enabled more stringent control of decolorization, resulting in improved intrinsic viscosity and reduced dissolution of organic material, measured as the chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon.
Source: Research Square
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214732075