Multi-functional finish of cotton using polyaminocarboxylic acids

Abstract

To improve the usage properties of cotton, some chemical modifications of the cellulose are necessary. Since a long time the wrinkle-resistance and the shrinkage of cotton, fabrics is enhanced by different crosslinking agents. First and very effective industrial products have been derivatives of N-hydroxymethyl and N-alkoxymethyl compounds of acyclic or cyclic ureas. New agents for the finishing of cotton fabrics are carboxylatcd polyvinylamines or carboxylated polyethylenimines. They are easily synthesized using polyvinylamines or polyethylenimines and bromoacetic acid or bromopropionic acid. Using sodium hypophosphite as catalyst the carboxylated polyvinylamines and poyethylenimines can be permanently fixed on cotton fabrics in a pad-dry process. Using IR-spectroscopy the formation of ester bonds can be shown. The textile properties of the finished cotton fabrics depend on the degree of carboxylation of the polyvinylamines and polyethylenimines used. The residual primary amino groups can be used for further chemical reactions.