C. Schramm et B. Rinderer, HPLC analysis of polycarboxylic acids used as durable press finishing agents/organic catalysts for cellulosic material, FRESEN J AN, 364(8), 1999, pp. 714-719
Cotton fabric is modified by means of polycarboxylic acids in combination w
ith an inorganic or an organic catalyst in order to impart durable press pr
operties. After the curing process the cellulosic specimen is washed off to
remove both the portion of the polycarboxylic acid that has not reacted an
d the catalyst applied. The treated cellulosic fabric is saponified with a
sodium hydroxide solution to extract the PCA that has reacted with the cell
ulosic material. Both the wash liquor and the saponification liquor are inv
estigated by means of isocratic HPLC using Aminex HPX-87-H as stationary ph
ase. Excellent separation of the various polycarboxylic acids that are appl
ied as crosslinking agents or as organic catalysts is achieved. The HPLC me
thod presented enables the identification and quantification of the polycar
boxylic acids.