A NTIBACTERIAL and easy care characteristics were imparted to cotton fabrics using multifinishing formulation comprising citric acid (CA) and chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) as an eco-friendly finish. The latter of size around 60-100 nm were prepared through polymerization of meth acrylic acid (MAA) with chitosan using potassium permanganate as initiator and characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmittance electron microscope, Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy, particle size analyzer, X-ray diffraction and thermo gravimetric analysis. Different factors affecting the degree of multifinishing treatment and their onset on fabric performance and antimicrobial activity were studied and optimized according to pad dry cure method. This was done to see the impact of chitosan nanoparticles to accomplish multifunction characteristics on cotton fabrics like reasonable strength loss, comparable wrinkle recovery angles, elongation at break, higher fabric stiffness and suitable durability in addition to antibacterial activity. It was seen from the attained results that; FTIR spectra and SEM micrograph showed the change in chemical structure and surface morphology of cotton fabric before and after finishing in absence and presence of chitosan nanoparticles. These fabrics parade antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria tested even after 10 washing cycles. Mechanism of finishing of cotton fabric using citric acid and CNPs is identified.

The objective of this paper is to establish a quantitative method to determine the levelness (L) of coloration by spectrophotometric measurements. Previously, the L of coloration is mainly evaluated by visual assessment. Hence, we are not able to produce quantitative L data because the visual evaluation of the same colored material obtained from different observers can be quite different. Color levelness is actually a description of the uniformity of color shade in different places of the fabric. It is a very important parameter for the quality of textile coloration, quality control, and communication between laboratories. Thus, this research work evaluates the L parameters by using different variables, including: a) three different natural fabrics; namely, wool, silk and cotton dyed with yellow natural dye from onion skins under the effect of different mordants, and b) three different natural dyes; namely, onion skins, turmeric and madder applied on wool fabric samples under the effect of different mordants. The obtained results show that dyed samples with the highest color strength (K/S) have the highest unlevelness (U) and the lowest color difference (ΔE) values (i.e. the highest light fastness). These results are obtained regardless of the fabric type or dye used.

Purpose This study aims to explore the incorporation of starch nanoparticles (SNPs) in cross-linking formulation of cotton fabrics to see their impact on fabric performance like tensile strength, dry wrinkle recovery angles, elongation at break, degree of whiteness and increase in weight as well as durability. Design/methodology/approach SNPs of size around 80-100 nm were successfully prepared from native maize starch by Nano precipitation technique and confirmed instrumentally by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmittance electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transformer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and particle size analyzer. The latter were incorporated in cross-linking formulation of cotton fabrics encompassing different concentrations of citric acid and sodium hypophosphite at different curing time and temperature in 100 ml distilled water to a wet pickup of ca. 85 per cent. The fabric samples were dried for 3 min at 85°C and cured at specified temperatures for a specified time intervals in thermo fixing oven according to pad-dry-cure method. Findings FTIR spectra and SEM micrograph signified the chemical structure and surface morphology of cotton fabric before and after finishing in absence and presence of SNPs. Cotton fabric samples finished in presence of SNPs showed a higher tensile strength, elongation at break, comparable dry wrinkle recovery angles and degree of whiteness than that finished in their absence. On the other hand, the enhancement in the aforementioned performance reflects the positive impact of incorporation of SNPs in textile finishing especially with strength properties; which are one of the important requirements for industrial fabrics that can be used widely in heavy-duty applications. Research limitations/implications SNPs with its booming effect with respect to biodegradability, reactivity and higher surface area can be used as a novel reinforcement permanent finish for cotton fabrics instead of more hazardous materials likes poly acrylate and monomeric compounds. Practical implications As SNPs biopolymers is one of the important reinforcement agents, so it was expected that it would minimize the great loss in strength properties during easy-care cotton finishing and improve the fabric performance. Originality/value The novelty addressed here is undertaken with a view to remediate some of the serious defects of easy-care cotton fabrics using poly carboxylic acids; especially with the great loss in strength properties by virtue of using SNPs as a permanent finish. Besides, to the authors’ knowledge, there is no published work so far concerning the use of SNPs as an innovative base for production of easy-care finished cotton textiles with high performance.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to prepare partially methylolated polyacrylamide-guar gum via graft copolymerization of acryalmide and guar gum using the potassium bromate/thiourea redox system. Design/methodology/approach Using HCHO (40 per cent), amide groups in the composite are converted to reactive composite. The reactive composites (N-methylolated [PAam-GG]) were used as pastes for printing cotton fabrics with pigment dye, under a variety of conditions. Variables studied include the amount of binder incorporated into the printing paste and different catalysts incorporated into the printing paste. Originality/value Characterization of printing samples under different conditions, including amount of the beneficial effects of varying conditions of printing on the color strength (K/S); the color parameters L, a, b, h and c; and the change in color difference (ΔE) were also investigated. The Fourier transforms infrared spectra of printed cotton fabrics has followed each condition of printing. The obtained results indicate that the improvement in the printing process may be due to change in molecular configuration as a result of the variation in chemical bond.

T HE utilization of high performance textiles and the increasing concern of environmental and ecological issues have grown. The processing requirement for creative finishing technologies e.g. nanotechnology, to give the request useful properties in various textile sector applications, without unfavorably influencing the earth has become in link manner. This research work was focused on using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with particle size ˃100 nm, for treating cotton fabrics and compares such treatment with those previously treated physically with microwave for 2 minutes followed by AgNPs. These finishing techniques were evaluated via the following measurements: fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR-ATR, X-ray diffraction XRD, scanning electron microscope SEM with energy dispersive X-ray analysis EDX, mechanical properties, conductivity, biological and dyeing characteristics. The results clarified the importance of such modification with tiny amount for improving the properties of cotton samples and render multi functionality, besides samples previously treated with microwave for 2 minutes clarified superior improvement in properties compared with their corresponding treated with AgNPs only. The main role of nanoparticles treatment is to increase the surface area per unit volume of treated samples without affecting its chemical structure and the energy of microwave is to activate the surface and alter such treatment.