Abstract
This study establishes an eco-friendly anti-wrinkle treating process for cotton fabric. Sodium hydroxide-liquid ammonia pretreatment followed by 6% (w/w) PU100 adding citric acid pad-cure-dry finishing. In this process, citric acid (CA) was used as the fundamental crosslinking agent during finishing because it is a non-formaldehyde based, cost-effective and well wrinkle resistance agent. Environmental-friendly waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was used as an additive to add to the CA finishing solution. Six commercial WPUs were systematically investigated. Fabric properties like wrinkle resistance, tensile strength retention, whiteness, durable press, softness, and wettability were well investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction spectra were also measured and discussed before and after adding waterborne polyurethane. Tentative mechanism of the interaction among the WPU, CA, and modified cotton fabrics is provided. The effect of cotton fabric pretreatment on fabric performance was also investigated. After the eco-process’s treatment, the fabric wrinkle resistant angle was upgraded to 271 ± 7°, tensile strength retention was maintained at 66.77% ± 3.50% and CIE whiteness was elevated to 52.13 ± 3.21, which are much better than the traditional CA anti-wrinkle finishing based on mercerized cotton fabrics. This study provides useful information for textile researchers and engineers.
Highlights
Cotton fiber is a natural textile fiber with excellent moisture absorbency and softness, made of parallel stacks of cellulose microfibrils consisting of cellulose molecules described as a linear polymer of β (1→4) linked D-glucopyranose units.[1,2,3] Hydrogen bonds play a vital role in a number of intra- and inter-cellulose molecules in both crystalline and amorphous phases
We systematically investigated the effect of using NaOH or NaOH-liquid ammonia pretreatment and waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as an additive in citric acid (CA) finishing on cotton fabric performance
Pretreatment is significant in affecting the performance of final treated cotton fabrics
Summary
Cotton fiber is a natural textile fiber with excellent moisture absorbency and softness, made of parallel stacks of cellulose microfibrils consisting of cellulose molecules described as a linear polymer of β (1→4) linked D-glucopyranose units.[1,2,3] Hydrogen bonds play a vital role in a number of intra- and inter-cellulose molecules in both crystalline and amorphous phases. It is believed that the disruption of the initial hydrogen bonds under moist conditions and the formation of new hydrogen bonds after the moisture removal resulting in wrinkling and shrinking of cotton fabrics. These wrinkles and shrinkages seriously affect the cotton fabric appearance.[4,5] Crosslinking of the cellulose hydroxyl groups could effectively improve the anti-wrinkle property of the cotton fabrics.[6] Dimethylol
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
