Sustainable H₂O₂ activation bleaching system of cotton fabrics enabled by glucosamine pentaacetate

To save energy and reduce environmental pollution in cotton bleaching, it is urgent to exploit environmentally friendly bleaching methods. Utilizing bleach activators in the H₂O₂ bleaching system is an efficient approach, and the search for green alternatives is of importance. Glucosamine pentaacetate (GAPA), a carbohydrate derivative characterized by a multi-acetyl structure, theoretically possesses superior environmental compatibility and activating performance, but its application in the bleaching of cotton fabric has rarely been reported. Herein, GAPA was synthesized and applied to a low-temperature H₂O₂ bleaching system. The effect of GAPA on the H₂O₂ bleaching system was systematically evaluated using the CIE whiteness index (WI), H₂O₂ decomposition rate, fabric wettability, and bursting strength as critical performance indicators. These results indicate that with the introduction of GAPA, the bleaching temperature can be reduced to 70 °C under nearly neutral alkaline conditions, while the WI is significantly enhanced. Moreover, the bleaching mechanism of the H₂O₂/GAPA system was evaluated, with particular attention to the possible presence of different reactive bleaching species (e.g., peracetic acid) and their respective impacts on bleaching performance. Finally, energy consumption, water usage, biotoxicity, and antibacterial properties of the bleached fabric were investigated, and thus this novel bleaching system was verified to exhibit remarkable eco-friendliness and sustainability potential.