Photoinitiated Ctosslinking of Modified Cotton

Abstract

Cotton cellulose that had been chemically modified by reaction with acryloyl and methacryloyl chloride (degree of substitution 0.08-0.50) and then padded with various solvents was exposed to uv light (λmax3500 Å) in an inert atmosphere. Photolyzed, modified cotton fabrics (print cloth) exhibited wrinkle recovery angles as high as 331° (wet) and 285° (conditioned), compared with values of 174° and 160°, respectively, for control fabrics. These increases in wrinkle recovery angles were dependent on the degree of substitution of the modified cotton cellulose, the solvent used in padding, the presence of monomer during irradiation, and irradiation time. The breaking strengths of the fabrics decreased during chemical modification; however, these properties were not further changed during photolysis.