Kemijski bijeljene pamučne tkanine dodatno su optički bijeljene primjenom optičkim bjelilima različite konstitucije, afiniteta i tona emisije: derivatima stilbena Uvitex BHT i Uvitex RSB, te distirilbifenil derivatom Uvitex NFW različitih koncentracija sa svrhom postizanja održivosti procesa. Istražena je fluorescencija otopina optičkih bjelila a potom su njima optički bijeljene pamučne tkanine. Ispitan je utjecaj koncentracije optičkog bjelila na bjelinu pamučne tkanine i stupanj zaštite od UV zračenja nakon obrade i jednog ciklusa pranja u vodi. Pokazalo se kako je moguće postići zadovoljavajuću bjelinu i učinkovitu UV zaštitu primjenom niske koncentracije optičkih bjelila pri sniženoj temperaturi (60 °C), u skraćenom vremenu obrade (30 min) i pri neutralnom pH, što ovu obradu čini održivijom.Chemically bleached cotton fabrics were optically brightened in a wide concentration range with optical brighteners (fluorescent brightening agents, FWAs) of different constitution, affinity and emission tone: stilbene derivatives Uvitex BHT and Uvitex RSB, and distyrylbiphenyl derivative Uvitex NFW with the purpose of process sustainability. The fluorescence of FWA solutions was investigated, and then cotton fabrics were optically brightened in these solutions. The influence of the FWA concentration on cotton fabric whiteness and the UV protection was researched after treatment and one cycle of washing in water. It has been shown that it is possible to achieve satisfactory whiteness and effective UV protection by applying a low concentration of FWA at a reduced temperature of 60°C, in a shorter treatment time of 30 min and at a neutral pH, which makes this treatment sustainable
