Comparison of Sulfonoethylated Cotton and Diethylaminoethylated Cotton as Built-In Catalysts for Delay Cure Processes

Abstract

A two-stage or delayed-cure process for the durable-press finishing of cotton which depends on the significantly different reactivities of cellulose with methylol functional groups at low and high temperatures in the presence of an acid catalyst has been studied. Dimethylolethyleneurea (DMEU) and a less reactive reagent, dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) were selected. Selection of built-in acid sites within the cellulose matrix was based on use of a group whose acid function was activated by an increase in temperature and of a group whose acid function was less dependent on temperature. Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cotton in the hydrochloride form satisfied the former requirement and the acid form of sulfonoethylated (SE) cotton the latter. Effects of time of storage on fabric properties imparted to DEAE-cotton and to SE-cotton by pure DMEU and pure DMDHEU by a delayed-cure process have been compared. Data are given to indicate when the commercial grade DMEU or DMDHEU can be substituted for the pure reagent in these processes.