The Improvement of the Wrinkle Recovery of Cotton by Reaction with Formaldehyde

Abstract

Data are presented showing the reaction of formaldehyde with cotton fabric using phosphoric acid, magnesium chloride, and zinc nitrate as catalysts and the improvement in wrinkle recovery of the fabric obtained by these treatments. A theoretical equation which fits the relationship between improvement in wrinkle recovery and concentration of formaldehyde reacted with cotton was derived which suggests that only part of the reacted formaldehyde is involved in the cross-linking of cellulose molecules.