Study on silk anti-crease finishing with polycarboxyl-terminated trichlorotriazine derivatives by surface analysis methods

The natural silk fabric was finished with polycarboxyl-terminated trichlorotriazine derivatives for anticreasing purpose. The treated fabric exhibited better wet resiliency, higher strength retention rate and whiteness than those treated with 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) under the same conditions, and they also have similar good washing durability to those treated with BTCA. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated the crosslinking reaction between the chlorine atom, the carboxyl in the trichlorotriazine derivatives and the amino, the hydroxyl on the surface of the silk fabric. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that the surface of the treated fabric became a little rough. The chlorine atom and the carboxyl in the trichlorotriazine derivatives, and the surface roughness of the treated silk fabric were all contributive to the wrinkle resistance of silk.

► Silk fabric was modified with polycarboxyl-terminated trichlorotriazine derivatives. ► The treated fabric exhibited high wet resiliency and strength retention rate. ► The treated fabric showed good whiteness and washing durability. ► The modification process could be carried out at lower temperature. ► Surface analysis methods were employed to study the anticreasing mechanism.