The Effects of Ozone Treatment on Soybean Fibers

A set of knitted fabrics comprising soybean fibers was ozonated at room temperature for periods ranging from 2.5 to 300 minutes to identify any accompanying effects on either physical properties (specifically whiteness and burst-strength), fiber surface integrity or microstructure. A hydrogen peroxide treatment was applied to some of the fabric in order to provide a comparison. Ozonation was found to produce a promising increase in whiteness which, after the maximum exposure time, was significantly higher than was achieved using hydrogen peroxide.