Durable Water-Repellent Cotton Fabrics Prepared by Low-Degree Substitution of Long Chain Alkyl Groups

Abstract

Three kinds of water-repellent cotton fabrics, A, B, and C-, are produced by alkylation with only 0.07 alkyl units per glucose unit. Sample A is prepared by alkylation by means of acetylation without mercerization, B is by direct alkylation after merceriza tion, and C is by alkylation by means of allylation and bromination. The merits of the methods are compared by contact angle measurements and spray tests after repeated laundry cycles. Sufficient water-repellency is attained with an alkyl length of over C₁₂. These samples retain a fabric hand, water-vapor permeability, and biodegradability similar to those of untreated cellulose fabric. The end-use properties of alkylated fabrics before and after laundering are also tested.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Berni, R.J. , Benerito, R.R. , and Philips, F.J. , Durability of Oleophobicity of Cotton Fabrics Imparted by Fluorochemicals , Textile Res. J. 30, 576-586 ( 1960).

Blumenthal, W.B. , Zirconium Compounds in Water Repellents for Fabrics, Ind. Eng. Chem. 42, 640-642 (1950).

Bullock. J.B. , and Welch, C.M. , Cross-linked Silicone Films as Wash-Wear, Water-Repellent Finishes for Cotton, Textile Res. J. 35, 459-471 (1965).

Connick., W.J. , Jr., and Ellzey , S.E. , Jr., Emulsion Application of a Poly(perfluorooctanoyl) Ethylenimine to Cotton, Am. Dyest. Rep. 57 (3), 71-73 (1968).

Forziati, F.H. , and Rowen, J.W. , Effect of Changes in Crystalline Structure on the Infrared Absorption Spectrum of Cellulose, J. Res. Nutl. Bur. Stds. 46 (1), 38-42 (1951).

Kondo, T. , and Gray, D.G. , Facile Method for the Preparation of Tri-O-(alkyl)Cellulose, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 45, 417-423 (1992).

Moreau, J.P. , and Drake, G.L. , Jr., A Hydrophilic Oil Repellent Finish for Cotton, Am. Dyest Rep. 58 (4), 21-26(1969).

Moreau, J.P. , Ellzey, S.E. , Jr., and Drake , G.L. , Jr., Perfluoro Ester-aziridine Oil-repellent Finish for Cotton, Am. Dyest. Rep. 56 (4), 117-121 (1967).

Nelson, M.L. , and O'Connor, R.T. , Relation of Certain Infrared Bands to Cellulose Crystallinity and Crystal Lattice Type, Part II: A New Infrared Ratio for Estimation of Crystallinity in Celluloses I and II, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 8, 1325-1341 ( 1964 ).

10.

Nelson, N. , A Photometric Adaptation of the Somogyi Method for the Determination of Glucose , J. Biol. Chem. 153, 375-380 (1944).

11.

O'Connor, R.T. , DuPré, E. F., and Mitcham, D., Applications of Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy to Investigations of Cotton and Modified Cottons, Part I: Physical and Crystalline Modifications and Oxidation, Textile Res. J. 28, 382-392 (1958).

12.

Okada, G. , Enzymatic Studies on a Cellulase System of Trichoderma viride II, J. Biochem. 77, 33-42 (1975).

13.

Philips, F.J. , Segal, L. , and Loeb, L. , The Application of Fluorochemicals to Cotton Fabrics to Obtain Oil and Water Repellent Surfaces, Textile Res. J. 27, 369-378 (1957).

14.

Sato, Y. , Wakida, T. , Tokino, S. , Niu, S. , and Ueda, M. , Effect of Crosslinking Agents on Water Repellency of Cotton Fabrics Treated with Fluorocarbon Resin, Textile Res. J. 64, 316-320 (1994) .

15.

Sawatari, C. , and Yagi, T. , Introduction of Amino Groups into Cellulose Via ( 2,3-Dibromopropyl ) Cellulose Under Mild Conditions, Sen-i Gakkaishi 47, 467-475 (1991).

16.

Schuyten, H.A. , Weaver, J.W. , Frick , J.G. , Jr., and Reid , J.D. , Formation of Cellulose Ethers in Water-Repellency Treatment of Cotton with Stearamidomethyl-pyridinium Chloride, Textile Res. J. 22, 424-432 (1952).

17.

Somogyi, M. , Notes on Sugar Determination, J. Biol. Chem. 195, 19-23 (1952).