Preparation and Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol/Dimethyl Siloxane Adduct and Its Utilization as Finishing Agent for Cotton Fabric

Polyethylene glycol/dimethyl siloxane (PEG/DMS) adduct was prepared and characterized via infrared analysis (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). PEG/DMS was incorporated in a formulation containing chitosan, citric acid, and sodium hypophosphite (SHP). This formulation was applied under different conditions to cotton fabric according to pad-dry-cure method with a view to induce permanent, multiantibacterial, anticrease, and soft finishing. Results obtained show that (a) PEG/DMS adduct and chitosan are attached to the cotton fabric through chemical and physical bonding; (b) the treated fabrics show high antibacterial activities against E. Coli and Staph. Aureus; (c) the fabrics treated with this formulation exhibit a high absorption of body fluids such as distilled water, saline, bovine blood, synthetic blood, and isopropyl alcohol; and (d) the treated fabrics become more smooth and the crease recovery angle (CRA) is enhanced. The results of tensile strength (TS) of the treated samples are lower than that of untreated.