Abstract
To control the hydrolysis rate of PET fabric with NaOH, HCl and $CH_3$COOH(HAc), as regulating reagent, were added to the 0.5 M NaOH solution. The concentrations of acids in 0.5 M NaOH were varied. PET fabrics were treated with aqueous solutions of acids in 0.5 M NaOH under different conditions. The weight loss of PET fabric, the rate of hydrolysis, the apparent activation energy (E$_{\alpha}$), the handle value, the etched surface of treated PET fabric, and the effect of salts such as NaCl, $CH_3$COONa(NaAc), and NH$_4$Cl on the weight loss were discussed. Acids in the aqueous 0.5 M NaOH solution decreased the weight loss of PET fabric bacause of neutralization of OH- and the weight loss of PET fabrics treated with corresponding concentration of aqueous NaOH solution to the concentrations of the aqueous solutions of acids in 0.5 M NaOH was lower than that of PET fabrics treated with aqueous solutions of acids in 0.5 M NaOH. The addition of NaCl to aqueous NaOH solution accelerated the reaction of OH- with PET greatly, the addition of NaAc increased the weight loss slightly, but the addition of NH$_4$Cl decreased the weight loss. It was thought that the very remarkable result that NaCl in aqueous NaOH solution promoted the hydrolysis of PET with NaOH would contribute to the conservation of energy and NaOH in the weight loss finishing process of PET fabric. The etched surface and the handle value of treated PET fabric were independent of the difference in the kinds of acids and salts added.nd salts added.