Production of zwitterionic cellulose by citric acid and triethanolamine hydrochloride for various end uses

ABSTRACT Zwitterionic cellulose was produced by the reaction of citric acid (CA) and triethanolamine hydrochloride (HTEA) on cotton fabrics with the pad–dry–cure method. The wrinkle resistance, dye affinity to anionic dye, antimicrobial properties, and zwitterionic properties were considerably improved. The fixation of CA and HTEA in cotton was confirmed by the wrinkle recovery angle, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Elemental analysis and anionic dye sorption testing also substantiated the HTEA fixation. The X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results suggest that CA and HTEA were fixed in the amorphous region of cotton with little surface deposition. The zwitterionic properties of the treated cotton was studied with a cationic dye at various pHs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46840.