ABSTRACT

Sodium citrates have been used with 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid to produce cotton fabrics with smooth drying properties. The sodium citrates serve both as donors of citric acid for crosslinking and of sodium ions for catalysis of the esterification of cotton cellulose by the two polycarboxylic acids. Although the use of citric acid as an extender for the more expensive butanetetracarboxylic acid has been reported in non-formaldehyde finishing of cotton fabrics for smooth drying properties, the catalyst used was sodium hypophosphite. Comparisons are made between fabrics finished with the phosphorus-containing system and the butanetetracarboxylic acid/sodium citrate systems. Textile properties, fabric whiteness, effect of pad bath pH, and extent of esterification are discussed.