Synthesis of novel poly-carboxylic acids via click reaction and their application for easy-care treatment of cotton fabrics

Maleic acid (MA) has been studied to replace formaldehyde-based crosslinking agents for antiwrinkle treatment of cotton fabrics for many years. However, the resilience of cotton fabrics treated by MA is not acceptable. In this study, a novel poly-carboxylic acid of ethyldimercaptan disuccinic acid (EDMDSA) was synthesized by MA and 1,2-Dimercaptoethane (DME) via click reaction and then applied on antiwrinkle finishing of cotton fabrics. The chemical structure of EDMDSA was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectra. The results indicated that the recommended antiwrinkle finishing conditions were 0.3 mol L −1 EDMDSA with equal molar ratio of sodium hypophosphite, curing temperature of 170 °C and curing time of 90 s. After treating, the wrinkle recovery angle of cotton fabrics finished by EDMDSA increased from 137.2° of untreated fabrics to 251.3°, which was significantly higher than 216° of those treated by MA. Besides, due to more flexible structure of EDMDSA, the finished cotton fabrics have slightly weaker antiwrinkle performance but higher strength retention than those treated by 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid. Facile synthesis and purification of EDMDSA as well as their excellent crosslinking and durability performance indicate they have a potential industrial-scale application in the field of non-formaldehyde anti-wrinkle treatment. Graphical abstract