Crosslinking of sulfonated cotton cellulose - Part III: Agent distributionand reaction kinetics

Sulfonated and unsulfonated cotton fabrics are finished with DMDMDHEU to st udy the agent distribution and reaction kinetics. The surface concentration of the crosslinking agent on the finished fabrics is significant for sulfo nated cottons. Specific reaction rate constants for sulfonated cottons are higher than for the unsulfonated fabric, and the rate constant for the high er degree of sulfonation is greater than for the lower degree. Sulfonation does not affect the energy needed for the crosslinking reaction. Enthalpies of activation for sulfonated fabrics are lower than for the unsulfonated f abric, and the higher the degree of sulfonation, the lower the enthalpy of activation. Entropies of activation decrease with increased degree of sulfo nation. Sulfonation of cotton does affect the reaction state, but does not affect energy consumption in the reaction between cellulose and the crossli nking agent.