Abstract
Performance properties of cotton fibers are normally improved by using different cross-linking agents. In the present study, cotton fibers were cross-linked using the combination of maleic anhydride (MA) and sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2). Cellulose fibers were first esterified using MA, and then the cellulose maleate was cross-linked using NaH2PO2. The effect of cross-linking conditions on wrinkle resistance and whiteness was studied. The data indicated that the H-P-H bonds of NaH2PO2 react with the >C=C< bonds of two MA molecules already esterified with cotton to form a cross-linkage between two cellulose chains The cotton fabrics treated with the MA/NaH2PO2 system demonstrated a high level of wrinkle resistance with significantly lower tensile strength loss, as compared to formaldehyde based commercial cross-linking agents. The whiteness index, bending length and wrinkle recovery ratings were also reported. The cross-linking of cotton (using the MA/NaH2PO2 system) was demonstrated by FTIR and solid-state CP/MAS C-13 NMR spectroscopic analyses.