Exhaustion, Photostability, and Photosensitising Properties of Triazinylaminostilbene Fluorescent Brightening Agents on Cotton

Nine triazinylaminostilbene fluorescent brightening agents (FBAs) have been applied to cotton at 0.05 and 0.50% o.w.f. nominal concentrations. The influence of functional groups on exhaustion, fading and phototendering were evaluated. Overall, FBAs containing sulphonic acid groups exhibited lower levels of add-on and poorer light fastness compared with the unsulphonated types. Hydroxy groups appeared to increase exhaustion and photostability. Experimental parameters that need to be controlled when comparing the effectiveness and properties of FBAs are also discussed