Predicting the crease recovery performance and tear strength of cotton fabric treated with modified N‐methylol dihydroxyethylene urea and polyethylene softener

This study aimed at developing a model for predicting the crease recovery performance and tear strength of cotton fabric using modified N‐methylol dihydroxyethylene urea, polyethylene softener, catalyst, curing time and curing temperature as the predictor variables. A quarter factorial design was constructed and, based on the experimental results, regression models were built to predict crease recovery angle and tear strength of the treated fabric. All experimental design and statistical analysis steps were implemented, using Minitab statistical software.     

Analysis of a crease‐resisting finish on linen fabrics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy

A wide range of chemical reagents are capable of producing a satisfactory crease‐resisting finish for cellulosic fabrics and are currently available on the market. However, these agents do not work as efficiently on linen relative to cotton or rayon. Untreated linen controls and samples treated with a N‐methylol reagent were investigated for physical and chemical changes, and an attempt was made to quantify the crosslinking bonds formed and assess other changes in the treated fabrics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The results were compared with nitrogen analysis data, crease‐recovery angle measurements, and abrasion‐resistance tests in an attempt to assess the effectiveness of the treatment relative to the responses of the instrumental techniques. This study shows correlations between the visible and NIR and FTIR spectra and the crease‐recovery angle and abrasion resistance. The study also indicates that FTIR may be useful in assessing the crosslinking bonding changes associated with the dimethylol urea treatment of linen to achieve improved crease recovery. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1886–1896, 2001     

Adsorption removal of Cu2+ and Ni2+ from waste water using nano‐cellulose hybrids containing reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

Cellulose is an important biomass in natural material fields. Reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (R‐POSS) bearing multi‐N‐methylol groups is novel high reactive POSS monomer. The nano‐cellulose hybrids containing R‐POSS were synthesized by crosslinking reaction. It was interesting to investigate properties and applications of hybrids containing R‐POSS. In this work, nano‐cellulose hybrids as novel biosorbent were used for adsorpting copper and nickel ions in aqueous solution. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherm of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ on the nano‐cellulose hybrids were investigated. The results showed that R‐POSS had been grafted to cellulose macromolecule. The nano‐cellulose hybrids could form new adsorptive position for heavy metal ions. The adsorption capacities of hybrid materials were obviously higher than that of control cellulose. The adsorption of heavy metal ions on nano‐cellulose hybrids followed the second‐order model. The equilibrium isotherms for adsorpting copper and nickel ions on the hybrids followed Langmuir isotherm model. Nano‐cellulose materials containing POSS as biosorbents or ultrafiltration membranes would be used in separation of toxic heavy metal ions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Surface modification of textiles by glow discharge technique: Part II: Low frequency plasma treatment of wool fabrics with acrylic acid

In this study, wool fibers are modified by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid regarding to its' hydrophobic character due to cuticular cells at their surfaces. Variables of the plasma glow discharge processes were power (40–100 W) and exposure time (5–45 min). The effect of plasma modification in the performance properties of wool were investigated on the basis of hydrophilicity of wool, average wrinkle recovery angle, and breaking strength. The surface chemical structures of fabrics were examined with x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic wool fabric became hydrophilic after all plasma treatments except one (40W–5 min). Average wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics were between 157 and 178°, while that of untreated fabric was 180°. The treated fabrics had a little bit lower angles according to the untreated fabric. However, even the lowest value as 157° means that the fabric has a good crease resistance property. The breaking strengths of fabrics were increased up to 26% after the plasma treatments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Nonwetting,nonrolling, stain resistant polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane coated textiles

Cotton/polyester fabric surfaces were modified using nanostructured organic‐inorganic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules via solution dip coating. Surface wetting characteristics of coatings prepared from two chemically and structurally different POSS molecules, a closed cage fluorinated dodecatrifluoropropyl POSS (FL‐POSS) and an open cage nonfluorinated trisilanolphenyl POSS (Tsp‐POSS), were evaluated with time and compared with Teflon. Surface analysis, including Atomic Force Microscopy, SEM/EDAX, and NMR revealed the presence of POSS aggregates on the fabric surface leading to a spiky topography, high roughness, and hysteresis. POSS coated fabrics showed complete reversal of surface wetting characteristics with contact angles higher than the benchmark Teflon surface. Water contact angle measured as a function of time showed equivalent or better performance for POSS‐coated surfaces in comparison to Teflon. Furthermore, FL‐POSS coated fabric exhibited exceptional stain and acid resistance along with a 38% reduction in relative surface friction. Additionally, “nonsliding” and high surface adhesion behavior of water droplets on the FL‐POSS coated fabric are reported. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of MAA/MAM pregrafting on DMEU finishing of cotton fabrics

Cotton fabrics were pregrafted with mixed monomer of methacrylic acid (MAA) and N-methylolacrylamide (MAM) before undergoing finishing with 1,3-dimethylolethylene urea. Experiments show that when the molar ratio of MAA and MAM is 4 : 6 the finished fabric has the maximum nitrogen content (N%) and crosslinking density. The pregrafting can improve the wet crease recovery angle and the moisture regain, can reduce the tensile strength retention, and has little effect on the dry crease recovery angle. In addition, at a pregrafting ratio of 4 : 6, the finished fabric has the highest crease recovery angle and moisture regain. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Modification of cellulose fiber with silk sericin

Cellulose fiber surface was modified with silk sericin (or simply, sericin). Sericin fixation on cellulose was confirmed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR). Sericin content in finished samples was estimated by dyeing treated fabrics with an acid dye, Supranol Bordeaux B, and determining K/S and L values of the dyed fabrics. The treated fabrics were tested for free formaldehyde content, crease recovery, tensile strength, electrical resistance, water retention, and biocidal activity. From ESEM and FTIR‐ATR results, it was found that sericin coated onto cotton surfaces as a film. Increasing sericin content in the finishing solution increased the amount of coated sericin, and a greater depth of color in dyed samples and reduced free formaldehyde content in treated samples were observed. The sericin content in samples was found to have a negligible influence on tensile strength and crease recovery angle. With increasing sericin content, electrical resistivity of the samples dramatically decreased and water retention increased, indicating that sericin‐treated fabrics may be comfortable to wear because of its maintenance of moisture balance with respect to human skin. Because cotton textile coated with sericin exhibited low formaldehyde content and no biocidal activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, the fabric may reduce skin irritation and disturbance of physiological skin flora arising from textile contact. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1421–1428, 2005     

Application performance and surface morphologies of amino polysiloxanes with different amino values and amino types

Amino polysiloxanes (APSs) with different amino values and amino types were synthesized and applied to cotton fabrics. Softening and smoothening properties of the fabrics treated with APSs were investigated and evaluated by measuring wrinkle recovery angles and friction coefficients, and the morphological features of the APSs adsorbed onto cellulose substrate films were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicate that the amino values and amino types of the APSs have a significant impact on the softening and smoothening properties of the fabrics. APSs with relatively high amino values exhibit superior smoothening property, while APSs with moderate amino values exhibit excellent softening property. Compared to the traditional softener N‐β‐aminoethyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐1), the new amino type softeners γ‐piperazinylpropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐2) and N‐γ'‐dimethylaminopropyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐3) gave better fabric performance, whereas aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐4) and N‐cyclohexyl‐γ‐aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane (APS‐5) gave unsatisfactory fabric performance. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Application of polyurethane/citric acid/silicone softener composite on cotton/polyester knitted fabric producing durable soft and smooth surface

Application of softeners on fabrics can usually increase the fabric pilling tendency and it is difficult to obtain a soft handle fabric without pilling during wearing. This research was conducted to use various chemicals to reduce pilling with reasonable softness on the cotton/polyester knitted fabric. Diverse composites of the water‐based polyurethane resin (PU), citric acid (CA) as a crosslinking agent and silicone‐based softener were selected and applied on the fabric through conventional pad‐dry‐cure method. The characteristics of the treated fabrics including pilling rate, pilling density, water droplet adsorption time, bending length, crease recovery angle, tensile strength, and water contact angle were examined and reported. Application of the polyurethane resin along with citric acid reduced the fabric pilling. However, co‐application of resin, CA, and softener improved the fabric crease recovery angle, bending length, and water droplet adsorption time. The preferred formulation was 20 g L^?1 CA, 25 g L^?1PU resin, and 20 g L^?1 silicone softener. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Flame retardant cotton

The water‐soluble organophosphorus compound, namely, hexahydroxymethylamidocyclotriphosphatriazatriene (HHMAPT) was synthesized by reacting phosphonitrile chloride with liquid ammonia followed by reaction with formaldehyde. It is rich in phosphorus and nitrogen and as a polyfunctional compound it can undergo several reactions with itself forming an in situ polymer or with cotton cellulose similar to conventional N‐methylol finishing agents. It was successfully used as a flame retarding agent in the absence and presence of etherified methylolated melamine (EMM). Investigations into the different factors that affect these reactions and the effect of these on the properties of the finished fabrics give rise to the following points; (1) P%, N% and crease recovery increase by increasing the curing time and temperature; (2) the most effective catalyst is NH₄Cl; P% and N% increase by increasing the concentration of NH₄Cl from 5 to 12.5 g/l (3) an increase in EMM and HHMAPT concentrations is accompanied by enhancement in P%, N% and crease recovery; (4) the fabric samples exhibit durable flame retardancy at temperatures higher than 120°C in the absence of EMM while in the presence of EMM, all samples exhibit durable flame retardancy properties, regardless of the temperature of curing; (5) the durable flame retardancy is achieved at concentrations higher than 60 g/l HHMAPT and 7.5 g/NH₄Cl. All samples exhibit loss in tensile properties but within an acceptable range (20%), crease recovery is improved in all samples. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Degree of crosslinking and physical properties of dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea/acrylic acid crosslinked cotton fabrics after treatment with various metallic salts

Three metallic salts were used to posttreat dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU)/acrylic acid (AA) crosslinked cotton fabrics, and the results showed that at a given value of the tensile strength retention (TSR), the dry crease recovery angle (DCRA) and wet crease recovery angle (WCRA) of the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were higher than those of the DMDHEU–AA‐treated fabrics, and those of the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were in the order of Ag⁺ > Cu⁺² > Al⁺³. The DCRA and TSR values for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were higher than those for the DMDHEU–AA‐crosslinked fabrics, and those for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were in the order of Ag⁺ > Cu⁺² > Al⁺³; however, WCRA values for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were lower than those for the DMDHEU–AA‐crosslinked fabrics, and those for the crosslinked and posttreated fabrics were ranked as Ag⁺ > Cu⁺² > Al⁺³ at a given number of crosslinks per anhydroglucose unit. IR spectra clearly revealed the different interactions and bonding states between the hydroxyl group of the cellulose and the various metallic ions and the strength of the interaction. All crosslinked and posttreated fabric samples showed good odor absorption and antibacterial and washing‐fastness properties. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 584–594, 2005     

The morphological structures of net‐modified cotton cellulose with triazine derivative containing multireactive groups

Cotton fabric was chemically modified with a 1,3,5‐triazine derivative containing multireactive and multicationic groups, 2,4,6‐tri[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐trimethyl‐ammonium)propyl]‐1,3,5‐triazine chloride (Tri‐HTAC). The morphological structures of net‐modified cotton cellulose were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that crystallinity and preferred orientation of net‐modified cellulose decreased. The tensile strength of net‐modified cotton decreased and crease recovery angle increased. The thermal stability of the net‐modified cotton was slightly improved. Representative scanning electron micrographs indicated that there appears to be appreciable difference in the appearance of the surfaces of the unmodified and the net‐modified cotton fibers. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2700–2707, 2006     

Effects of a pretreatment with N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide on the structures and properties of ramie

To improve the dyeing properties of ramie, the ecofriendly organic solvent N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide (NMMO) was used to substitute sodium hydroxide as a ramie‐fiber swelling solvent. Through padding and baking pretreatment, ramie fabric was modified by an NMMO aqueous solution. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to investigate the effects of NMMO pretreatment on the structure of the ramie, whereas the color strength (K/S, where K is the light absorption coefficient and S is the scattering coefficient), adsorption isotherm, and dye uptake rate curve were measured to investigate the effects of NMMO pretreatment on the dyeing properties of the ramie. The results show that the ramie fiber experienced a limited and irreversible swelling because of the partial breakage of interhydrogen and intrahydrogen bonds of cellulose molecules in the amorphous area, but the crystal and chemical structure of the ramie fiber did not change obviously under the experimental conditions. The K/S value of the NMMO‐modified ramie fabrics dyed with reactive dyes increased by about 100%, and the dye uptake increased by 27.88% compared to that of the raw sample, whereas the standard affinity and diffusion coefficient value of the reactive dyes on the NMMO‐modified ramie fabric were higher than those of the raw ramie fabric. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Pretreatment of wool/polyester blended fabrics to enhance titanium dioxide nanoparticle adsorption and self‐cleaning properties

This research aims to enhance the self‐cleaning properties of fibre‐blended fabric using surface pretreatment prior to the application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. To this end, the polyester/wool fabric was modified, in that the wool fibres were oxidised with potassium permanganate and the polyester fibres were hydrolysed with lipase before nano processing. Butane tetracarboxylic acid was also used to enhance the adsorption of the nanoparticles and also to stabilise them on the fabric surface. The self‐cleaning properties of the fabric were examined through staining of the fabric with CI Basic Blue 9 and then discolouring by exposing to ultraviolet and daylight irradiation. Some other properties of the treated fabrics, such as water drop absorption, crease recovery angle and bending were investigated and are discussed in detail. The colour changes of different samples indicated an appropriate discoloration on the titanium dioxide‐treated fabrics after ultraviolet and daylight irradiation. Overall, the surface pretreatment of the wool and polyester fibres improved the self‐cleaning properties of the fabric significantly.     

Proteases to Improve the Mechanical Characteristics of Durable Press Finished Cotton Fabrics

N‐Methylol reagents are conventional crosslinking agents that are still widely used in textile industry to produce crease‐resistant cotton fabrics. In this work serine proteases were used to recover the strength of fabrics, cross‐linked with N‐hydroxymethylacrylamide. Nearly one half of the strength loss of crosslinked cotton fabrics could be restored after protease treatment, while the wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) decreased only slightly. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the amide cross‐links in the durable pressed cellulose was confirmed by FT‐IR analysis and dyeability with an acid dye.

Effect of protease concentration on the tensile strength recovery, WRA and acid dye dyeability at 30 min reaction time.     

Antimicrobial coatings based on hydantoin‐containing polymer networks for textiles

An advanced method with an initiator pretreatment was developed for the coating of nylon/cotton fabrics with the hydantoin‐containing monomer 3‐allyl‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin and two water‐soluble crosslinkers N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide and poly(ethylene glycol) 200 diacrylate. The formulations were applied to textiles by either batch coating or dip coating. In the dip‐coating process, the influence of individual parameters on the fabric modification was investigated and evaluated. After treatment with chlorine, the hydantoin structure was transformed into antimicrobial active N‐halamines. The modified fabrics exhibited potent antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Our method, based on an initiator pretreatment and water‐soluble crosslinkers, outperformed current technologies in the degree of fabric modification. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Physical properties and reaction kinetics of cotton cellulose crosslinked with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea–maleic acid

Two dicarboxylic acids were used to join with dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) as crosslinking agents to treated cotton fabrics. These results reveal that the dry crease recovery angle values of the treated fabrics for DMDHEU–maleic acid are higher than those for DMDHEU–tartaric acid at a given wet crease recovery angle and tensile strength retention. The IR spectra show that the reaction between the –OH of DMDHEU and cellulose and the vinyl groups of maleic acids occurred. The cross section of the DMDHEU–maleic acid and DMDHEU–tartaric acid treated fibers and the energies of activation and other data of reaction kinetics for DMDHEU–maleic acid and DMDHEU–tartaric acid strongly suggest that the reaction of vinyl groups of maleic acid with cellulose molecules can take place during the pad/dry‐cure process. Additionally, the surface distribution of crosslinking agent on the finished fabrics for DMDHEU–maleic acid is slightly lower than that for DMDHEU–tartaric acid. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3886–3893, 2004     

Citric acid used as a crosslinking agent for the grafting of chitosan onto woolen fabric

Modification of woolen fabrics was done by the grafting of low‐molecular‐weight deacetylated chitosan in the presence of citric acid as a crosslinking agent with the pad–dry cure method at different conditions (times and temperatures). The add‐on of chitosan and the optimum conditions were determined. The improved properties of modified wool by chitosan were evaluated with the urea bisulfite solubility test, crease recovery angle, yellowness index, and scanning electron microscopy. The dyeing properties of modified wool fabrics were studied with acid and reactive dyes. The biocidal activities of the modified and unmodified wool samples were evaluated and compared against some species of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli (Gram negative), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), Candida albicans, and Aspergillus flavus. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Using Persulfate Oxidized Chitosan as a Novel Additives in Easy-Care Finishing for Cotton Textiles

Easy care finishing of cotton fabric using glyoxal in the presence and absence of low molecular weight chitosan, i.e., persulfate-oxidized chitosan, as a novel additive along with MgCl₂·6H₂O as an acid catalyst was studied in detail. Major factors affecting finishing reaction were studied with respect to glyoxal, oxidized chitosan, and catalyst concentrations in addition to curing time and temperature of treatment according to the pad-dry-cure method. The obtained results show the following findings: (a) increasing the glyoxal concentration from 5–50 g/l in absence of oxidized chitosan is accompanied by an increase in crease recovery angle and a decrease in tensile strength of the finished fabric, whereas that treated in the presence of oxidized chitosan shows a higher tensile strength and to some extent comparable crease recovery angle with respect to that finished in the absence of it when the concentration of glyoxal increases; (b) increasing the oxidized chitosan concentration is accompanied by decreasing crease recovery angle, whereas the tensile strength increases when glyoxal concentration increases within the range studied; (c) increasing the MgCl₂·6H₂O from 0–15 g/l is accompanied by an increase in the crease recovery angle and a decrease in tensile strength of the finished fabrics in the presence and absence of oxidized chitosan; (d) increasing the time and temperature of curing of the finished fabrics is accompanied by an increase in crease recovery angles and decreases in tensile strength; and (e) the dry wrinkle recovery angle of cotton fabric samples finished in presence of O-chitosan is decreased after washing, and the higher the washing cycle the lower the dry wrinkle recovery angle.     

Durable and regenerable antimicrobial textiles: Improving efficacy and durability of biocidal functions

2,2,5,5‐Tetramethylimidazolidinone (TMIO)‐modified cotton‐containing fabrics could provide excellent durable antimicrobial properties, but the biocidal speeds were low because of its amine halamine structures. To prepare biocidal fabrics that can inactivate microorganisms rapidly and survive repeated laundering and long duration of storage, 3‐methylol‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethylimidazolidinone and dimethylol‐5,5‐dimethylhydantoin were combined in different ratios in chemical modifications of cellulose fabrics. The mixtures of TMIO and hydantoin rings on the grafted cellulose provided a hybrid of imide, amide, and amine halamine structures in different ratios after chlorination, and led to varied efficacy and durability of biocidal properties on the finished fabrics. The effect of the combined halamine structures on biocidal efficacy and durability of the fabrics were discussed in this article. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2588‐2593, 2004