Wrinkle-Resistant Cotton by Photo-Initiated Reaction with N-Methylolacrylamide Followed by Crosslinking Reactions1

Abstract

A wrinkle-resistant cotton fabric was produced by photo-initiated, free-radical reaction with N- methylolacrylamide monomer from aqueous solution to form a poly(N-methylolacrylamide) copolymer, followed by crosslinking reactions of the methylol groups of the copolymer with cellulose. The product had increased conditioned and wet wrinkle-recovery angles and retained breaking and tearing strengths and stiffness values in the ranges normally obtained for wrinkle-resistant cottons. The efficiency of the conversion of monomer to polymer was greater when the cotton-monomer solution was irradiated wet than when it was irradiated dry, and greater when irradiated with 254- and 300-nm ultraviolet light than when irradiated with 350-nm light. Catalysts used to initiate reaction of methylol groups were about equally effective whether they were included in the initial monomer solution or added to modi fied cotton fabric after copolymer formation.