Surface Modification of Cotton Substrates Using Organic Solvents

Surfactants have many uses in textile processing, used as wetting agents, detergents, emulsifiers, dispersing agents etc. and can be used universally under all conditions. Textile is versatile, therefore processes are conducted in type of conditions, being highly acidic to highly basic, room temperature to as high as 220oC in thermosol dyeing, also can start form acidic pH and end at alkaline pH. Therefore it is needed to formulate a universal chemical which can be work equally well under all process conditions. Surfactants can be ionic and non-ionic, advantage of nonionic being that they can be used under basic and acidic conditions as well as water hardness, but lacks the resistance against temperature. Ionic has the advantage of aqueous solubility under higher temperature, but lacks the flexibility of being used under all pH values and resistance against water hardness. Therefore, we have proposed of substituting organic solvents to surfactants.

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Author has his majors in Textile Chemistry and currently pursues a degree in Textile Technology from NC State where he is working on polymer chemistry and bio-polymers to develop novel Medical devices.