Insight into the activation detection of hydrogen peroxide by N-[4-(triethylaminomethyl)benzoyl] caprolactam chloride based on fluorescent probes and LC-MS

The blend of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and N-[4-(triethylaminomethyl)benzoyl]caprolactam chloride (TBCC) boosts exceptional bleaching efficacy under low temperature and weak alkaline conditions, greatly reducing energy consumption. Nevertheless, the intricate perhydrolysis pathway of TBCC within a hydrogen peroxide solution and its subsequent impact on the whiteness of fabrics during this process have remained elusive. This study presents an integrated analytical methodology that harnesses ultraviolet spectrophotometry, fluorescent probes, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to examine the pivotal aspects of the cotton fabric bleaching process. Specifically, we focus on the detection and quantification of the critical product N-4-(triethylammoniomethyl)peracetic acid (TPA) in the bleaching reaction. The research detected and quantified TPA, while emphasizing that insufficient concentrations and abbreviated durations of TPA significantly compromise the bleaching efficacy. Notably, variations in the TPA generation rate under different conditions revealed why TBCC exhibits exceptional bleaching performance under low-temperature and mildly alkaline conditions. This insight provides new perspectives and valuable insights into the critical factors influencing the bleaching process. The method is also applicable to other bleaching activators, and by controlling these factors in conjunction with actual conditions, it is possible to effectively reduce energy waste and provide valuable information for optimizing future practices in the field of bleaching.