Preparation and characterization of amphoteric cotton by N-containing reagent through polycarboxylic acid interconnecting linkage

Abstract

Cotton fabric was treated by N-containing reagent through polycarboxylic acid (PCA) interconnecting linkage. 1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) was selected as PCA due to its high reactivity. Triethanolamine hydrochloride (HTEA) was employed as N-containing reagent to treat cotton by using the pad-dry-cure method. Thus-treated fabric exhibited improved wrinkle resistance, dye affinity to conventional anionic dye, antimicrobial and amphoteric properties. The investigation of the wrinkle recovery angle, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the fixation of HTEA through BTCA interconnecting linkage onto cotton. Elemental analysis and K/S value evaluation after dyeing with cationic or anionic dyes also affirmed HTEA fixation. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the reaction mainly occurred in the amorphous regions with little surface deposition, which was also substantiated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The treated cotton exhibited 99.9% bacterial reduction and its amphoteric property was demonstrated by dyeing at various pHs. © Editura Academiei Romane. All rights reserved.