Application of modified sericin on cotton fabrics

A new modifying agent was synthesized using epichlorohydrin and sericin protein by totally substituting reaction,and its composite emulsion,prepared by incorporating emulsifier Le-001 15%(o.w.m) and Tween 80 10%(o.w.m) into it,was applied to the treatment of cotton fabrics.FT-IR and SEM were used to examine the treated fabrics,and the whiteness was tested.The results showed that the modifying agent could react with hydroxyl groups of the cotton and fixed on the fabrics after the treatment.If the mass fraction of the finishing agent is low,the whiteness and capillary effect of the cotton fabric after treatment showed little change.The weighting percentage of the treated fabrics remained constant after 3 washing cycles,which further confirmed that the chemical reaction between the modifying agent and hydroxyl groups of the cotton had taken place and the agent had fixed on the cotton fabrics.The preferable mass fraction of the modifying agent was 5%-10% for cotton fabrics,otherwise the handle and strength of the fabric would be affected.