Impact of polycarboxylic acid treatments on physico-mechanical properties of cotton fabric

In this reported work, bioscoured and bleached cotton fabrics were treated with three different polycarboxylic acids, i.e., malic acid, citric acid, and 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acids. The presence of carboxylic acids on the fabric surface as well as the changes in the crystalinity index was determined by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The carboxylic acids treated fabrics were analyzed for their physico-mechanical as well as comfort properties such as tensile strength, elongation, stiffness, air permeability, abrasion resistance, drape, water absorption, and wicking. The results inferred that the polycarboxylic acid-treated cotton showed improved drapability, wrinkle recovery, and strength up to 7% concentration; afterward, it started deteriorating. Weight loss due to abrasion was found to decrease with the addition of crosslinkers. A minor improvement in wicking and wetting properties was also noticed.