Wrinkle-resistant finishing of cotton fabric with BTCA - the effect of co-catalyst

Fabrics treated with dimethyloldihydroxylethyleneurea (DMDHEU) are susceptible to formaldehyde release. High concentrations of formaldehyde have been reported to cause cancer in animal studies. Due to the toxicity of DMDHEU, the polycarboxylic acid class of non-formaldehyde crosslinking agents used for wrinkle-resistant treatment has been introduced. Among various researches, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) is a desirable reactant when catalysed with sodium hypophosphite (SHP). The characteristics of TiO ₂ or nano-TiO _2, acting as a co-catalyst in a BTCA wrinkle-resistant finishing system are examined in this study. Surface morphology and molecular structure of cotton specimens together with the wrinkle-resistant, UV protection, yellowing, tensile and tearing properties of the treated specimens are also evaluated.