Overview

• In ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, researchers report that a high-intensity blue LED cut yellowing on cotton in 10 minutes more than hydrogen peroxide or ultraviolet exposure.
• Ultraviolet treatment generated new yellow-tinted compounds in the tests, highlighting a drawback the blue light avoided.
• Spectroscopic data indicate oxygen from air drives the oxidative photobleaching, cleaving bonds to yield colorless products.
• The approach reduced color from beta-carotene, lycopene, squalene, aged oleic acid, orange juice and tomato juice, and it lightened squalene stains on silk and polyester without observed damage.
• The authors, employees of Asahi Kasei with no external funding, say additional colorfastness and safety testing is planned before any home or industrial system is considered.