Bak. Andrews et Nm. Morris, ALKALI-METAL SALTS OF HYDROXY-ACIDS AS CATALYSTS IN DURABLE PRESS FINISHING WITH BUTANETETRACARBOXYLIC ACID, J TEXTILE I, 84(4), 1993, pp. 631-637
Alkali metal salts of hydroxy acids have been investigated as catalyst
s for esterification cross-linking of cotton with 1,2,3,4-butanetetrac
arboxylic acid to produce cotton fabrics with smooth drying properties
. Of the sodium salts of several acids studied, the sodium citrates pr
oduce fabrics with the best appearance properties. The sodium citrates
serve both as donors of citric acid for cross-linking and of sodium i
ons for catalysis of the esterification of cotton cellulose by the two
polycarboxylic adds. Although the use of citric acid as an extender f
or the more expensive butanetracarboxylic acid has been reported in no
n-formaldehyde finishing of cotton fabrics for smooth drying propertie
s, the catalyst used was sodium hypophosphite. Comparisons are made be
tween fabrics finished with the phosphorus-containing system and the b
utanetetracarboxylic acid/sodium citrate systems. Textile properties,
fabric whiteness, effect of pad bath pH. and extent of esterification
are discussed.