Performance Enhancement of Easy Care Cross-linker with Nano-Titanium Dioxide by using Conventional Technology

1. Performance Enhancement of Easy Care Cross-linker with Nano-Titanium Dioxide by using Conventional Technology • Muhammad Mohsin • Prof. Chris Carr & Dr. Muriel Rigout

2. Presentation Outline • Overview of wrinkling in cotton • Easy care finishes based on zero formaldehyde • Nano-Titanium dioxide impact on cross-linker performance • Nano-Titanium dioxide impact on physical properties of fabric • Conclusions

3. Wrinkling • Wrinkling of cotton clothes is an everyday problem. • Ironing requires time & hard work • Wastes money and sometimes damages clothes.

4. Why Cotton Fabric Wrinkle • Breaking of hydrogen bonding between polymer chains especially in amorphous region. • This effect is much more when cotton is wet e.g. washing. • When stress is applied to the moisture containing cellulosic fibres, the internal polymer chains of the amorphous areas are free to move • In the absence of any restoring force available these newly formed wrinkles will remain there • Introduction of the cross-link between cellulosic chains is one of the solution to this problem.

5. Formaldehyde-based Cross-linkers for Cotton Formaldehyde based cross-linkers have been used in the textile industry from 1930s. However formaldehyde is a recognised irritant and carcinogen. Other concern for the use of formaldehyde based cross-linkers. Regulations on formaldehyde release are becoming stricter and stricter.

6. Formaldehyde Free Cross-linkers for Cotton • DHEU • DMeDHEU • BTCA • CA

7. Nano Technology for Textile • To achieve Unique and valuable properties • Nanotechnology is increasingly attracting worldwide attention because it is widely perceived as offering huge potential in a wide range of end uses. • Attraction for not only scientists and researchers but also businesses, due to their huge economical potential. • Enhancement of textile materials by nanotechnology is expected to become a trillion dollar industry

8. Nano Technology for Easy Care Finishing of Cotton • Performance of the cross-linkers based on carboxylic acid could be increased by using nano TiO2. • Most of the research is emphasized on the use of effective but very expensive BTCA by using unconventional UV curing treatment

10. Experimental • Pad-dry-cure technique • Crease recovery angle- BS3086, EN ISO22313 • CIE Whiteness index (WI) AATCC -110 • Tensile strength retention BS EN ISO 13934-1:1999 • Washing durability/ Appearance of the fabric after repeated home laundering- AATCC 124-1996 • The Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) was used to measure mean deviation of coefficient of friction (MMD).

11. Performance of DMDHEU Finish

12. Performance of Formaldehyde Free Modified DHEU Finish

13. Performance of BTCA Finish

14. Performance of Citric Acid Finish

15. Performance of Citric Acid with Nano TiO2 Finish

16. Impact of Cross-linkers with & without Nano TiO2 on Tensile Strength

17. Impact of Nano TiO2 with Citric Acid on (MMD)

18. Conclusions • It was possible to enhance the performance of the citric acid as a formaldehyde free cross-linker by using nano titanium dioxide with conventional pad-dry-cure technique. • Nano titanium dioxide was only needed 0.1% for best results. • Nano titanium dioxide was also effective in improving the tensile strength of the treated fabric. • Handle of the treated fabric was also improved by the incorporation of nano titanium dioxide with citric acid as compared to alone citric acid treated fabric.

19. Acknowledgement • UET • UMT

20. Thank You!Questions?