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. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 584 -594, 2005.