Zhi Wen Hu

Physical and Chemical Changes of Wool Fabrics after Artificial Ageing

The exposure of wool fabrics to light, humidity and heat are inevitable, which will accelerate their ageing, as time goes on. The exact influences of these factors were not being parallel compared and studied previously, but are very important for preparing suitable storage or display environment for wool fabrics, especially for those excavated old wools in history. Hereby, wool fabrics were treated by heat ageing, hydrothermal ageing, UV ageing and UV & ozone ageing to figure out the effects of light, humidity and heat on their physical and chemical changes resulted in the degradation of wool. The performances of the wool fabrics with different treatments were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), angle contact test, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. It has been found that thermal ageing resulted in the maximum yellowness of the wool fabrics. Hydrothermal ageing was most functional in decreasing the breaking strength and crystallinity of the wool fabrics. UV lighting induced significant hydrophilicity increase on the surfaces of the wools. The addition of ozone on UV lighting did not facilitate the further ageing of wool fabrics much.

Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immune Method for the Detection of Binders in Ancient Chinese Textiles

In this study, an indirect ELISA was applied for specific identification of gelatin and collagen I in the binders of ancient Chinese textiles. The process consists of protein extraction and incubation, blocking, primary antibody incubation, secondary antibody incubation and coloration. To guarantee stringency, both artificially aged samples and archaeological samples were well prepared before testing. The results indicated that all the samples behaved positive for ovalbumin while negative for collagen I. This is the first time ELISA was applied in the detecting of binders of ancient textiles. Compared with other detecting methods, ELISA was sensitive, simple and specific. With such superior features, ELISA will become a frequently-used technique in the detection of proteins in ancient materials.

The Influence of Pretreatment and Usage on the Humidity Control Property of a Novel Paperboard

Adsorption-desorption behavior of a novel humidity control paperboard was investigated on the conditions of different pretreatments and variable amounts of usage. The results revealed that the target humidity varied because of different moisture contents. In addition, the target relative humidity was about 50% with the moisture content being about 20%. The humidity control performance of the paperboard could be measured with initial 80% of relative humidity. The dosage ratio of sample to container is 1g/L. On the condition that the moisture content was 20%, when the usage ratio was less than 1, the target relative humidity decreased with the increasing ratio. Yet the target humidity of micro-environment changed little and the adsorption-desorption rate varied dramatically. Knowing the humidity control behavior of the composite paperboard is important for its application.

Preparation and Antibacterial Activity of One Novel Leather Material

This work was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of one novel leather material treated with bactericides. The growth of bacteria species such as colibacillus and staphylococcus aureus were measured by the diameter of inhibition zone. The results showed that glutaraldehyde exhibits an antibacterial activity against colibacillus and staphylococcus aureus. Besides, it also is testified that 2-Octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one was an excellent bactericidal agents to staphylococcus aureus, instead of colibacillus. The concentrations of tea saponin and sodium above 0.05mg/L, the growth of bacteria was restrained. In addition, compared with single of bactericidal agents, the mixture of two bactericidal agents showed much better antibacterial activity. Among these antimicrobial agents, the mxture of 2-Octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and glutaraldehyde were of great potential in application.

Effect of Consolidation with Alanine and Glutaraldehyde on the Properties of Fragile Wool Fabrics

In this paper, alanine which was homologous with wool fibers and the crosslinker glutaraldehyde were used to consolidate fragile wool fabrics. As a bifunctional crosslinker, glutaraldehyde can react with amine groups both in wool and alanine. With glutaraldehyde crosslinking at different concentrations, the breaking strength, molecular structure and surface morphology of the wool were investigated. As a consequence, the consolidation with alanine and glutaraldehyde led to a positive effect on the mechanical properties of fragile wool fabrics, resulting in increased breaking strength. However, the results of SEM and FTIR showed that the consolidation had no obvious influence on the morphology and chemical structure of fragile wool fabrics.

Preparation for Humidity Control Composite Paperboard and their Humidity Control Properties

The humidity control composite paperboard with excellent humidity control performance was prepared, comprising sodium chloride, anhydrous potassium carbonate, diatomite, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid-Na, carboxymethyl cellulose and self-made humidity control material. The moisture absorption and desorption rate of the sample are about 0.6231 (g/7h•g-1) and 0.5852 (g/7h•g-1), respectively. The equilibrium humidity fluctuates from 52% to 56% and moisture capacity is 31 %. Moreover, it can reach to the equilibrium levels within 60 minutes. Above all, it shows outstanding humidity control properties, meeting the requirement of micro-environment particularly for something sensitive to humidity such as cultural relic.

Preparation of an Humidity Control Paper Board by Simple Physical Blending and its Properties

Humidity control paper board comprising natural polymer derivatives, porous natural minerals, inorganic salts, natural moisturizing material and paper was prepared by simple physical blending and its humidity control properties were tested. The moisture adsorption and desorption rate are 0.82 g/7h.g-1 and 0.71 g/7h.g-1, respectively. The adsorbed moisture amount is 0.85 g/g. It can maintain the relative humidity (RH) range between 50% and 60% within 20 min at 25 °C. Above all, the prepared paper board shows pronounced humidity control properties and the preparation technology is simple, which is feasible for production in large scale.

Study on Purification of Tea Saponin by Foam Separation Method

Foam separation method was utilized to purify crude tea saponin. The factors influencing the purification were studied, including the effects of original concentration, airflow rate and loading liquid volume. By systematic experiments, the optimal purification technology was determined. Foam separation method showed great advantages such as: low solvent and energy consumption, convenience, environmental friendliness. This work provides useful information for tea saponin purification development.

Preparation for Spherical Humidity Control Composite Materials and their Humidity Control Properties

A spherical humidity control composite material with excellent humidity control performances has been prepared by twice foaming method. The composite comprises a natural polymer derivative (KGM), a porous natural mineral (Halloysite) and an Sodium polyacrylate (PAAS). It has high capacity for moisture adsorption, fast response to humidity changes, and small range for equilibrium humidity control. The moisture adsorption content of the composite material is 1.10 (g/g) of its own weight. The moisture absorption rate is 0.3948 (g/7h•g-1), and moisture desorption rate is 0.4682 (g/7h•g-1). The composite material has an equilibrium humidity control ranging from 50%RH to 53%RH. It can reach to the equilibrium levels within 60 minutes. It is suitable for maintaining a proper micro-environment for places such as museums or galleries.

Preparation and Humidity Control Performances of a Novel Composite Humidity Control Paper

A novel composite humidity control material was prepared, in which konjac glucomannan grafted on sodium polyacrylate with halloysite loading, adopting aluminum chloride/sodium bicarbonate system to foam, and twice foaming to form porous structure in the composites by heating at 150 °C. The resultant composites were utilized as substrates and applied in a composite humidity control paper making. Humidity performances including hygroscopicity, moisture capacity, moisture absorption and desorption rate were tested. It was found that the composite paper presents good humidity control performances even in amplified experiments.