Actions

Download Analytics Citations

Export to: EndNote  |  Zotero  |  Mendeley

Collections

This file is not currently in any collections.

In Situ Monitoring of Lipid Removal from Contaminated Model Fabric Films [dataset] Open Access

The removal of contaminating soils from clothing is an intensive process requiring large quantities of energy and water. Reducing this environmental impact through more effective detergent formulations is a fundamental challenge in the home and personal care industry. Effective development of improved formulations will require a greater understanding of the interactions between soil, fabric, and cleaning formulations. However, in situ monitoring of soil removal during the wash process is extremely challenging. We report a method to study these interactions on model fabric surfaces using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy under flow conditions. By employing derivatives of lipids commonly found on soiled garments specifically labelled with IR-active groups, the removal of individual components of lipid soil from the surface can be monitored, allowing the investigation of stain removal at a chemical level. We find that fatty acids are selectively removed from mixed lipid films under surfactant flow, whereas triglycerides are difficult to remove using surfactants alone. Furthermore, by employing multiple infrared active labels, we are able to track up to three distinct chemical species simultaneously. We anticipate this technique will allow for the development of formulations enabling the targeted removal of the most stubborn contaminants found on fabric surfaces, enabling the development of more efficient and sustainable cleaning formulations.

Descriptions

Resource type

Dataset

Contributors

Creator: Barclay, James ¹
Smith, Lydia ¹
Di Leva, Dalila ¹
Ruscigno, Silvia
Contact person: Mahon, Clare ¹
Contact person: Beeby, Andrew ¹

¹ Durham University, UK

Funder

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Research methods

FTIR analysis: Data were processed using MATLAB. Briefly, individual spectra were collated, truncated between 3000 and 2000 cm[^-1], then smoothed and background subtracted using the “backcor” function, which estimates the polynomial baseline of a spectrum by minimising a cost function. The bands attributed to the CH, CD and azide functionalities were then integrated and plotted relative to the maximum value for each peak, typically the first data point in the series. Experiments were repeated three times; error bars represent the standard deviation of the mean. Code is provided in the supplementary information. Raman Spectra were recorded on a Horiba LabRam-HR using a 50x LWD objective using a 532 nm laser. Raman spectra of bulk materials were obtained on a silicon substrate. Films were prepared on FTIR ATR crystals and analysed before/after flow cell experiments. Data were corrected by subtraction of a dark reference to remove hot pixels, followed by scaling to a white reference from a black-body source to correct for differences in detector intensity across the spectral window. Spectra were then baseline corrected using the “backcor” function. Raman mapping was performed over a 40 x 40 μm area within the field of view of the lens (65 μm x 40 μm). The interval between points is 5 μm, creating a 17x17 dataset across the scanned area. These data were treated using the same workflow as single spectra, then interpolated to a resolution of 1 μm. The C-H and C-D peaks were integrated. The respective integrals are plotted as individual heightmaps.

Other description

Keyword

Flow-ATR
Thin films
Washing optimisation

Subject

Thin films
Lipids--Research

Location

Language

English

Cited in

Identifier

ark:/32150/r1bc386j31p
doi:10.15128/r1bc386j31p

Rights

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY)

Publisher

Durham University

Date Created

File Details

Depositor

J.A. Barclay

Date Uploaded

31 July 2025, 11:07:21

Date Modified

11 September 2025, 09:09:55

Audit Status

Audits have not yet been run on this file.

Characterization

File format: zip (ZIP Format)

Mime type: application/zip

File size: 98486551

Last modified: 2025:08:01 13:32:26+01:00

Filename: Dataset.zip

Original checksum: 8c21e5f6375587f82e5bdb7934f850e5