Reduced Formaldehyde Release with Nitro Alcohols

Abstract

Residual formaldehyde was lowered by 59% when an alkyl nitro alcohol (ReForm™ brand textile reactant modifier) was substituted for 35% of dimethyloldihydroxyethyl eneurea (DMDHEU) on an active weight basis. The textile reactant modifier was added directly to the pad baths. The catalysts used, with a buffered and a nonbuffered DMDHEU, were "hot" magnesium chloride and zinc nitrate. Substantial lowering of formaldehyde was observed in all formulations; however, a lower level of formalde hyde was achieved with the zinc nitrate catalyst in both the buffered and the nonbuffered systems. The durable press properties of the fabric treated in a nitro alcohol modified pad bath were not significantly different from the fabric treated in an unmodified pad bath. There was no increased discoloration of the fabric when it was treated with the nitro alcohol. The textile reactant modifier (ReForm™) used in the formulation is nonsensitizing and nonmutagenic.