LAUSR

In this research, cotton fabrics were selectively oxidized by periodate to produce aldehyde groups at C2 and C3 positions. Their changes in physico-chemical properties such as crystallinity, surface morphology, tensile strength, iodine sorption value and aldehyde group content were determined by different analytic methods. It was concluded that the periodate oxidization could decrease the crystallinity, reduce the tensile strength and create a number of aldehyde groups in cotton. Subsequently, the original and periodate oxidized cotton fabrics were subjected to cellulase treatment for evaluating the influences of oxidization on the enzymatic performance of cellulase. The results indicated the conversion of alcohol to aldehyde groups promoted the binding of cellulase to cotton substrates. Meanwhile, it was found that the higher periodate oxidization led to greater hydrolysis of cotton because of the higher adsorption ability of cellulase and larger amorphous areas in cotton after periodate oxidization.Graphical abstract