Durable Press Research Articles

Application of Catalyst in Textile Wet Processes

A systematical review of catalyst was provided in the paper involving the definition, the sort, effect mechanism and the influence factors which followed that the application of catalyst in the textile industry in terms of dyeing, finishing and effluents treatment. Catalyst is defined as a substance that could change the rate of chemical reaction, while it is not consumed in the overall reaction. The changing of the reaction rate by means of catalyst is known as catalysis. Catalyst could assist in either acceleration or deceleration of the reaction rate. In textile processing, especially in textile wet processing such as dyeing and finishing, for example, easy care and durable press finishes, antimicrobial finishes, ultraviolet protection finishes, flame retardant finishes and water repellent finishes, various types of catalysts will be involved for achieving desired effect. However, there is a less discussion and review on the relationship on the effect of catalyst on the final properties of the textile materials. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the application of catalyst on the textile wet processing and nano-catalyst was also evaluated in the extending to the opportunities and development of textile industry.

Non-Formaldehyde Polyfunctional Crosslinking System for Cotton

Crosslinking of cotton with polycarboxylic acid, applied with catalysts based on phosphorus-containing inorganic acids, produces fabrics with excellent smooth-drying properties, which release no formaldehyde at any stage of preparation or on storage. If polycarboxylic acid has three or more carboxylic acid groups, the formation of such an anhydride can occur more than once and crosslinking of the cellulose molecule occurs. In our research work the use of an unsaturated bifunctional acid (maleic acid) and a phosphorus-containing inorganic compound (sodium hydroxyphosphinite) to obtain durable press finishing properties and flame retardant properties was studied.

SEM Characterisation of the Cellulose Material Treated with Polycarboxylic Acid and Zeolite Nanoparticles

Coating of zeolite nanoparticles, previously dispersed in Polycarboxylic acid (PCA) solution, on cellulose textile surface has several advanced technological applications. One of the possible usages is for the Durable Press finishing enabling simultaneous enhanced antimicrobial or flame retardant properties. In this study, one of the polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agents, Citric acid (CA) is used to coat cotton fabric in the presence of synthesized zeolite applied as a catalyst. Cotton fabric samples were padded with a suspension containing zeolite powder in aqueous solution of CA crosslinking agent. Drying and curing of coated samples was performed at different curing conditions, either in a microwave oven or in conventional dryer. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to characterize the surface morphology and confirm bonding of zeolite particles to cellulose fibers. Further characterization of coated surface is performed by attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy while the effects of microwave irradiation on zeolite nanoparticles bonding is estimated by thermogravimetric analysis.

Nonformaldehyde durable press finishing of cotton fabrics using the combination of maleic acid and sodium hypophosphite.

Polycarboxylic acids have been used as nonformaldehyde crosslinking agents for cotton with sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2) as the catalyst to replace the formaldehyde-based dimethyloldihydroxyethleneurea (DMDHEU). Maleic acid (MA), an α, β-unsaturated bifunctional carboxylic acid, can esterify cotton but is not able to form crosslinking between two cellulose molecules by itself. In this research, we discovered that the wrinkle resistance of the cotton fabric treated with MA and NaH2PO2 was significantly increased and phosphorus was bound to cotton when the treated fabric was exposed to temperatures higher than that required for esterification of cotton by MA. Elevation of the fabric wrinkle resistance and increase in quantity of the phosphorus bound to cotton had similar dependency on curing temperature, on MA concentration, and on NaH2PO2 concentration. All the data support the hypothesis that H-P-(residual of NaH2PO2) added to >CC< of the MA already bound to cotton by esterification, thus forming a new crosslink between two cotton cellulose molecules. The cotton fabrics treated by MA/NaH2PO2 showed fabric wrinkle resistance similar to that treated with DMDHEU, but the breaking strength and tearing strength of the MA-treated cotton fabrics were significantly improved.

Feasibility of Glutaraldehyde as a Non-formaldehyde Durable Press Finish for Cotton Fabrics

Glutaraldehyde is chosen as a novel non-formaldehyde durable press finish for cotton fabrics in this investigation. The optimum technique conditions and influences of glutaraldehyde concentration and catalysts, pH value, and curing conditions for the properties of the finished fabric have been investigated in detail. The finished fabric achieves the best performance with a pH value in the range of 4 to 4.5 for the glutaraldehyde finishing bath, magnesium chloride as the catalyst, and curing conditions of 160oC for 3 minutes. In addition, in contrast to low formaldehyde resin and non-formaldehyde finishers sold in the market, the wrinkle recovery angle of the fabric finished with glutaraldehyde is better than that finished with FREEREZ NFR (DHDMI), but not as satisfactory as that finished with FREEREZ 880 (low formaldehyde 2D). However, its strength is greater than the fabric finished with FREEREZ 880, but less so than that finished with FREEREZ NFR.

Cross-Linking Cotton Cellulose by the Combination of Maleic Acid and Sodium Hypophosphite. 2. Fabric Fire Performance

Multifunctional carboxylic acids have been used as durable press finishing agents for cotton with sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2) as the most effective catalyst. In our previous research, we found that cellulose cross-linking takes place when cotton fabric treated with a combination of maleic acid and NaH2PO2 is cured at ≥150 °C. The data suggested that H−P−H of hypophosphite likely reacts with >C═C< of the maleic acid already esterified with cotton cellulose, thus making it possible to form cross-linking on cotton. In this research, we studied the effect of the maleic acid (MA) and NaH2PO2 treatment on the fire performance of cotton using microscale combustion calorimetry. We found that esterification of cotton by MA reduces the flammability of the cotton cellulose. NaH2PO2 catalyzes the esterification of MA on cotton, thus further reducing the cotton fabric’s flammability by increasing esterification on cotton. The quantity of ester formed on cotton reaches the optimum range when the curing temperature i...

Dyeing and DP treatment of sol-gel pre-treated cotton fabrics

Cotton samples were pre-treated with various sol solutions containing different alkoxysilanes (TEOS, GPTMS, APTES, and TESP-SA). The as-prepared cotton samples were dyed with 2 % owf Red and 4 % owf Blue. Furthermore, dyed cotton samples were after-treated with the alkoxysilanes. The alkoxysilane were also incorporated into the dyeing bath. The as- prepared cotton samples were subjected to a treatment with the non-formaldehyde durable press finishing agent BTCA in conjunction with the catalyst SHP. The textile materials were evaluated with respect to the colorimetric data (L*, a*, b*, ΔE*) and the color strength expressed in terms of K/S values. Tensile strength and dry crease recovery angles of the durable pressfinished samples were measured. The findings indicate that APTES and TESP-SA exert a significant influence on the color properties.

Dendrimer finishing influence on CO/PES blended fabrics color assessment

AbstractTextile finishing includes all processes that help to maintain the value or increase the value of the textile material. It encompasses dyeing, printing, and all the finishing treatments to realize durable press, soil release, flame retardant, antistatic, antimicrobial, or water/oil repellency properties. When these properties are realized on dyed textile fabric, one effect could be ascribed to the color change induced by finishing operations. This research focuses on the assessment of color alterations occurring on the dyed cotton/polyester blended fabrics due to the nanoparticle‐sized dendrimer (DWR), dendrimer–fluorocarbon (DWOR), and fluorocarbon (FWOR) finishing onto their surfaces. The dependence of color on the surface state of treated textiles is calculated in the context of spectrophotometric measurements. Modification of the surface roughness by reflectance spectrum and the absorbance of finishes in visible range were investigated to determine color changes between the original (control fabric, dyed but not treated) and treated fabrics. As a result of color matching calculated by CIE‐Lab values, color change is related to the surface roughness associated with absorbance values of applied finishes. In addition, fabrics mechanical properties were evaluated to estimate if finishing agents application gives rise to other changes, besides color alterations. The fabrics mechanical properties have been found not significantly altered by the aforementioned finishing treatments. These results could be applied for industrial needs (quality control), or in the artistic field of conservation, or restoration (to follow the color of paintings). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Cross-Linking Cotton Cellulose by the Combination of Maleic Acid and Sodium Hypophosphite. 1. Fabric Wrinkle Resistance

Durable press finishing agents used to produce wrinkle-resistant cotton garments are cross-linking agents for cotton cellulose. Polycarboxylic acids have been the promising durable press finishing agents to replace the formaldehyde-based reagents when sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2) was used as the catalyst. In our previous research, we found that a polycarboxylic acid esterifies cotton cellulose by first forming a five-membered cyclic anhydride as a reactive intermediate. Maleic acid (MA) is a bifunctional carboxylic acid, therefore is not able to form the second cyclic anhydride intermediate once it forms the first ester linkage with cotton. However, we discovered that MA imparted wrinkle resistance to cotton fabrics when NaH2PO2 was present, thus indicating that MA was able to cross-link cotton. Sodium hypophosphite functions as the catalyst for the esterification of cellulose by MA, and the esterification takes place at relatively low temperatures (≥130 °C). Esterification of MA forms single esterlinka...

Formaldehyde‐releasers: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Part 2. Formaldehyde‐releasers in clothes: durable press chemical finishes

This is the second part of a review article on formaldehyde-releasers used as durable press chemical finishes (DPCF) in textiles. The early finishes contained large amounts of free formaldehyde, which led to many cases of allergic contact dermatitis to clothes in the 1950s and 1960s. Currently, most finishes are based on modified dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea, which releases less formaldehyde. Nevertheless, recent studies in the United States and Israel have identified patients reacting to DPCF, considered to have allergic contact reactions to clothes, either from formaldehyde released by the DPCF therein or from the DPCF per se (in patients negative to formaldehyde). However, all studies had some weaknesses in design or interpretation and in not a single case has the clinical relevance been proven. The amount of free formaldehyde in most garments will likely be below the threshold for the elicitation of dermatitis for all but the most sensitive patients. The amount of free cyclized urea DPCF in clothes is unlikely to be high enough to cause sensitization. Patch test reactions to formaldehyde-releasing DPCF will in most cases represent a reaction to formaldehyde released from the test material.

Formaldehyde‐releasers: relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Formaldehyde‐releasers in clothes: durable press chemical finishes. Part 1

This is one of a series of review articles on formaldehyde-releasers and their relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy and in this paper formaldehyde-releasers used as durable press chemical finishes (DPCF) in textiles are discussed. The literature on allergy to DPCF since 1980 is presented in two parts. Part 1 (this article) presents a short historical overview of the problems with formaldehyde in clothes and discusses the chemistry of durable press chemical finishes, legislation in various countries, and studies on the amount of formaldehyde present in clothes. In addition, the DPCF that have caused contact allergy are presented with CAS, synonyms, molecular formula, chemical structure, applications, and patch test studies. In the forthcoming part 2, the frequency of sensitization to DPCF, occupational contact sensitization, relevance of patch test reactions, and relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy will be reviewed, followed by a discussion of both parts of the article together.

Characteristics of cotton fabrics treated with epichlorohydrin and chitosan

AbstractCotton fabrics treated with a crosslinking agent, epicholorohydrin, in the presence of chitosan (CEC) provide many possible reactive sites for reactive dyes and antimicrobial properties of the grafted chitosan to the cellulose structure. This process was applied by means of the conventional mercerizing process. The chitosan finishing and durable press finishing of the cotton fabrics occurred simultaneously in the mercerization bath. ECH is expected to react with hydroxyl groups in cellulose and chitosan or with amino groups in chitosan to form alcohol crosslinking by the Belfast process. The fixed chitosan content in the CEC was calculated by the nitrogen percentage of an Elemental Analyzer. The color strength (K/S) of the reactive dyes of the treated cotton fabrics did not significantly change with an increase of chitosan; however, the degree of swelling of the treated cotton fabrics decreased with an increase of chitosan and ECH. These performances were retained through 20 washing and tumble drying cycles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

X-ray Diffraction of Cotton Treated with Neutralized Vegetable Oil-based Macromolecular Crosslinkers

Maleinized soybean oil (MSO) has been investigated as a flexible, macromolecular crosslinker for cotton fabrics. The ability of MSO to penetrate crystalline cellulose and crosslink aligned cellulose chains upon cure has been in question. This study compares the penetration capability of MSO to dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU), which is the commercial standard for durable press finishing and is an efficient cellulose crosslinker. X-ray diffraction was employed to characterize changes in the crystalline morphology upon heating un-mercerized cotton fabrics treated with aqueous DMDHEU and soybean oil derivatives. Displacement of characteristic interplanar spacings and the genesis/elimination of diffraction intensities from quintessential planes were evidence of structural modification. The penetration of ammonia neutralized MSO (acid value 230.00 mg KOH/g) into the microstructure of cotton cellulose is similar to that of DMDHEU in terms of expanding the interplanar spacings of characteristic planes. Moreover, polymorphism of cotton and mercerized cotton occurred upon treatment with aqueous solutions of MSO. These findings suggest that macromolecular reagents can diffuse into cellulose fibrils if they are sufficiently hydrated or enshrouded by more favored penetrants.

The Effects of 1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic Acid (BTCA) Finishing on the Color of Naturally Colored Cotton Fabrics

Naturally colored cotton (NCC) based wovens are finished with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), which is an environmentally friendly durable press (DP) finish. The colors of the NCC wovens before and after DP finishing are examined. The color fastnesses to home laundering and light irradiation are compared and evaluated. The DP finishing of BTCA has a negative effect on the color of NCC based fabrics. About 1/3 of the shade depth of the NCCs are decreased after a BTCA finishing. For both the fabrics with and without a DP finishing, home laundering results in evident color changes with decrease of shade depth. However, for probable crosslinking to pigments, a DP finishing could significantly improve the home laundering color fastness of NCCs. The performance of the color fastness to light after a BTCA finishing depends on the cotton breed. The BTCA finishing of the green NCC minimally improves the light fastness, while for the brown NCC, the color fastness to light decreases after the BTCA finishing.

Optimization of Ionic Crosslinking Process: An Alternative to Conventional Durable Press Finishing

Cotton fiber has a natural tendency to wrinkle. In order to overcome this undesired property several durable press finishes were proposed and have been used for a long while. However, most of these chemical finishes release formaldehyde, a suspected human carcinogen, which causes fabric to lose strength and to yellow. Non-formaldehyde alternatives to these finishes are expensive. Thus, a non-formaldehyde finish prepared by using common and more available chemicals is required. In this study, we prepared anionic cotton fabric and further treated it with a novel crosslinker, namely cationic glycerin. We focused on optimizing an ionic crosslinking process in terms of the treated fabric's wrinkle recovery angle (WRA). Our results showed that high WRA results may be achieved and the strength of fabric may also be increased.

A new catalyst for glyoxal durable press finish of cotton fabrics

Aluminum ammonium sulfate was used as a new catalyst for glyoxal to minimize the decrease of physical properties of durable press cotton fabrics, and the optimum treatment conditions such as the concentration of glyoxal, molar ratio of catalyst to glyoxal, curing temperature and time were investigated. The retention of tensile strength and the whiteness of fabrics treated with glyoxal/aluminum ammonium sulfate was increased as much as to the degree of that obtained with glyoxal/aluminum sulfate while wrinkle recovery angles were as good as those of the latter. Some additives such as DEG, polyurethane and softener were used to improve the physical properties. When DEG or polyurethane was added to the glyoxal padding solution, wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) significantly increased while tensile strength and whiteness were not influenced. DEG added to the glyoxal padding solution increased the durability of DP finish. The softener added to the glyoxal padding solution increased the WRA of treated fabrics while it decreased the tensile strength slightly. The whiteness of fabrics treated with glyoxal alone increased while the WRA decreased slightly.

키토산 가교 처리된 면직물의 천연염색에 관한 연구(I) - 울금을 중심으로 -

Abstract ― For the purpose of standardization and practicability of natura l dyeing, the mordanting and dyeing properties of turmeric was studied. In this study, the colorants of turmer ic were extracted with boiling water. Chitosan-crosslinked cotton fabrics was dyed with aqueous extract of turmeric and their dyeabilities on the fabrics were studied. Additionally the fastness to washing and light were also investigated. Cotton fa brics were treated with a crosslinking agent epichlorohydrin in the presence of chitosan to provide the cotton fabrics the d yeing properties of natural dye(turmeric) by the chemical linking of chitosan to the cellulose structure. The chitosan fi nishing and durable press finishing of the cotton fabrics occur red simultaneously in the mercerization bath. The dyeability(K/S), which was obtained by CCM observation, remarkably became increased when the crosslinked chitosan concentration was highe r. Dyeability of turmeric was improved on chitosan- crosslinked cotton fabric rather than only cotton fabric, while the saturated dyeing time was 20minutes at 60 ℃. The hue value indicated greenish yellow with increasing the crosslinked chitosan concentration. And the color fastness to washing and light was almost the same.

Innovative Starch Derivatives as Textile Auxiliaries for Application in Sizing, Finishing and Flocculation

AbstractInnovative starch‐based polymeric products were synthesized for utilization as sizing agents, flocculants, and finishing agents. The synthesis involved reaction of starch and hydrolyzed starches with monochlorotriazinyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MCT‐β‐CD) to yield starch grafted with cyclodextrin (St‐g‐CD). The latter was further reacted with 3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (Quat‐188) to effect cationization of St‐g‐CD. Grafting of starch with cyclodextrin and cationization with Quat‐188 were concurrently expedited by reacting starch with both MCT‐β‐CD and Quat‐188 in a one‐step process using NaOH as catalyst. Maximization of the reaction of starch‐g‐CD with Quat‐188 (expressed as%N) and the concurrent reaction of starch with MCT‐β‐CD and Quat‐188 could be achieved at 40ºC for 90 and 120 min, respectively, by using NaOH as catalyst at concentrations of 8 and 15 mmol, respectively. These reaction conditions were employed to prepare six innovative polymeric starch derivatives. Derivatives I, II and III represent St‐g‐CD prepared from hydrolyzed starches having different molecular sizes after being cationized with Quat‐188. Derivatives IV, V and VI represent those prepared from reacting the hydrolyzed starch with both MCT‐β‐CD and Quat‐188 in a one‐step process. The six derivatives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although all six derivatives bear cyclodextrin and Quat‐188 moieties, their characters and properties differ considerably, which was reflected on their efficiency as flocculants and sizing agents and as additive in durable press finishing (DP) of cotton fabric. The efficiency of the six derivatives when applied in these fields depends on the molecular size of the parent starch, the graft content of the in St‐g‐CD, the extent of cationization and the condition of application. At any event, however, the innovative derivatives in question exhibit salient features which advocate them for application in sizing, flocculation and DP finishing.

Application of low-molecular-weight chitosan in durable press finishing

The effect of using low-molecular-weight chitosan (LWCS) for anti-creasing treatments of cotton fabric was studied. The LWCS was mixed with dimethylol dihydroxyl ethylene urea (DMDHEU) to form the finishing agent. The addition of LWCS increased the tensile strength retention (TSR) and creasing resistance of the treated fabrics. The yellowing index and the softness of the treated fabrics became worse when the LWCS molecular weight decreased and the concentration as well as the curing temperature increased. The anti-wrinkle properties of all processed fabrics decreased markedly after washing 20 times. However, the softness of the fabric improved and the strength decreased slightly after the wash treatment.

Nonformaldehyde Flame Retardant Finishing of the Nomex/Cotton Blend Fabric Using a Hydroxy-Functional Organophosphorus Oligomer

Multifunctional carboxylic acids, such as 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), have been used as durable press finishing agents to produce wrinkle-resistant cotton. In our previous research, we used BTCA as a nonformaldehyde bonding agent in the flame retardant finishing system based on a hydroxy-functional organophosphorus oligomer (HFPO) for cotton. In this research, we investigate the application of HFPO to the 65%/35% Nomex/cotton blend fabric using BTCA as a bonding agent and triethanolamine (TEA) as a co-reactant. We found that the addition of TEA in the flame retardant finishing system improves the hydrolysis resistance of the HFPO bound to the Nomex/ cotton blend and enhances the flame retardant performance of HFPO by means of phosphorus—nitrogen synergism. Moreover, TEA reduces the deposit of calcium salt on the treated fabric during laundering by esterifying the free carboxylic acid groups on cotton. The Nomex/cotton blend fabric treated with the HFPO/BTCA/TEA system shows high flame retardant performance at relatively low add-on levels. It is a completely nonformaldehyde flame retardant finishing system.