Physical Properties and Color Fastnesses of Regenerated Cellulosic Fabrics Treated with Chitosan

Abstract

Chitosan (a partially deacetylated poly (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) ) was applied to three sorts of regenerated cellulosic fabrics (viscose, cuprammonium and polynosic rayon) by a pad-dry-rinse procedure .The effects of chitosan on the physical properties of the fabrics and the color fastnesses of direct and reactive dyes were investigated. The chitosan treatment caused a marked increase in stiffness of the fabrics and gave them a linen-like handling touch. As chitosan is more hydrophobic than cellulose, the fabrics treated with chitosan show a water repellent property. The effects of chitosan treatment were kept even after washing for 10 cycles. Although the influence of chitosan on the color f aatnesses of direct and reactive dyes was found to be very small, the color f astnesses to wet rubbing, washing and alkaline perspiration of direct dyes were lowered by chitosan treatment.