Studies of Chemically Modified Cotton

Abstract

High crystallinity of cellulose is the cause of undue stiffness and brittleness as well as low absorptioh and chemical reactivity. With a view to overcome these drawbacks and bring about changes in the elastic and other properties of cotton fibers, two cottons, Gaorani and 170-Co.2, were treated with anhydrous ethylamine, diethylamine, pyridine, and aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide (30%) and potassium hydroxide (40%) for 15 min to 50 hr. Modified lint samples showed interesting changes in cellulose crystallinity and moisture regain, on treatment with ethylamine, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide after certain periods. Some of the treatments also showed a marked effect on the degree of polymerization and the tensile, mechanical, swelling, and optical properties of the fiber. Moisture regain and degree of swelling were found to be higher in the case of samples treated with alkali, compared with those treated with amines.