Innovative Starch Derivatives as Textile Auxiliaries for Application in Sizing, Finishing and Flocculation

Innovative starch-based polymeric products were synthesized for utilization as sizing agents, flocculants, and finishing agents. The synthesis involved reaction of starch and hydrolyzed starches with monochlorotriazinyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCT-β-CD) to yield starch grafted with cyclodextrin (St-g-CD). The latter was further reacted with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (Quat-188) to effect cationization of St-g-CD. Grafting of starch with cyclodextrin and cationization with Quat-188 were concurrently expedited by reacting starch with both MCT-β-CD and Quat-188 in a one-step process using NaOH as catalyst. Maximization of the reaction of starch-g-CD with Quat-188 (expressed as%N) and the concurrent reaction of starch with MCT-β-CD and Quat-188 could be achieved at 40[ordinal indicator, masculine]C for 90 and 120 min, respectively, by using NaOH as catalyst at concentrations of 8 and 15 mmol, respectively. These reaction conditions were employed to prepare six innovative polymeric starch derivatives. Derivatives I, II and III represent St-g-CD prepared from hydrolyzed starches having different molecular sizes after being cationized with Quat-188. Derivatives IV, V and VI represent those prepared from reacting the hydrolyzed starch with both MCT-β-CD and Quat-188 in a one-step process. The six derivatives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although all six derivatives bear cyclodextrin and Quat-188 moieties, their characters and properties differ considerably, which was reflected on their efficiency as flocculants and sizing agents and as additive in durable press finishing (DP) of cotton fabric. The efficiency of the six derivatives when applied in these fields depends on the molecular size of the parent starch, the graft content of the in St-g-CD, the extent of cationization and the condition of application. At any event, however, the innovative derivatives in question exhibit salient features which advocate them for application in sizing, flocculation and DP finishing.