Graft Copolymerization of Chitosan with Butyl Acrylate and Application of the Copolymers to Cotton Fabric

Abstract

Graft polymerization of butyl acrylate (BuA) onto chitosan using potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator was studied under different conditions. The grafting percentage (G%) and the grafting efficiency (GE%) increase by increasing KPS concentration up to 40 mmol/L then decrease thereafter. Another trend was observed with BuA concentration where G% increases significantly as BuA concentration increases within the range studied, i.e., 10%–100%, based on weight of chitosan sample (ows), meanwhile GE% exhibits a maximum at BuA concentration of 50% ows. Temperature acts in favor of grafting up to 65°C where maxima for both G% and GE% could be achieved. The grafting reaction is characterized by an initial fast rate during the first 60 minutes then levels off thereafter. Poly (BuA)-chitosan graft copolymers were applied to cotton fabric in presence and absence of low formaldehyde cross-linking agent. Introduction of the copolymer and the cross-linking agent to cotton fabric enhances the performance of the latter to a great extent provided that the copolymer and the cross-linking agent are applied in two subsequent steps. Fabric performance was assessed through monitoring, nitrogen content, crease recovery angle, tensile strength and elongation at break.