As stated by Brooks and Moore (2000), Dannacher and Schlenker suspected that there is an optimum pH, beyond which bleaching decreases. The authors point out that the pH dependence of H2O2 bleaching suggests that the perhydroxyl anion is not the active bleaching agent and propose that the active oxygen is the superoxide radical. O2 , formed in an alkaline medium from the perhydroxyl radical.
Peroxide bleaching systems include regulators to reduce oxygen release and fibre damage. Therefore, addition of appropriate stabilizers is vital for controllable decomposition of hydrogen peroxiden to acquire predictable cotton bleaching quality. The function of stabilizers is to lessen the speed of hydrogen peroxide decomposition
by forming a complex with hydrogen peroxide which is a mediator composite, and with metal ions in the solution and raw cotton. In order to reduce the decomposition and possible damage to fibers, stabilizers are used throughout bleaching.