Modification of cotton fabrics with a hydrolysed organotrialkoxysilane/metal alkoxide system: multifunctionalisation and mordant dyeing

Untreated cotton fabrics and cotton samples pretreated with 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid were functionalised with an organotrialkoxysilane [(3‐glycidyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane] in conjunction with a metal alkoxide (aluminium isopropoxide, titanium tetraisopropoxide, or zircon tetrabutoxide). Evaluation of the physicomechanical properties revealed that the dry crease recovery angle was significantly increased in the case of aluminium isopropoxide, whereas the tensile strength and the tear strength were reduced. The application of alkyltrialkoxysilanes resulted in an enhanced contact angle. As the cotton samples were treated with hydrolysed metal alkoxides, which can function as mordants, the cotton fabrics were dyed with alizarin. The dyeing behaviour was determined from colorimetric data.