Citric acid as environment friendly crease-resistance finishing agent for silk fabric combined by ß-cyclodextrin

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the possibility of cross-linking silk fabric using citric acid (CA) as the cross-linking agent and nano-TiO2 (NTO) particles as a catalyst at low temperature and under UV irradiation. This paper also assesses the possibility of treated samples with suitable combinations of CA and NTO to impart multiple functional properties such as self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties. Design/methodology/approach In this research, ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) grafted onto silk fabric using CA as a crosslinking agent and NTO particles as a catalyst through a pad-dry-cure technique and with UVA irradiation. The effects of different concentrations of CA, ß-CD and NTO particles on some properties of the treated samples are evaluated, and the optimum finishing conditions are obtained. The author also investigated the washing durability of the modified product after ten times of washing. Findings The results showed that CA plays the role of a linking agent through an esterification reaction with the hydroxyl groups of both ß-CD and silk fabrics and improves the durability of materials on the textile surface. Also, the silk fabrics treated with CA only were found to have excellent photocatalytic properties and better antibacterial activity than the control sample and the fabrics treated with a mixture of ß-CD/CA. Originality/value This study was conducted to achieve multiple functions such as antibacterial and photocatalytic activities, good dry crease recovery angle and wet crease recovery angle behavior without a significant adverse effect on the Yellowness index and tensile properties for treated silk fabrics.