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1,2,3,4-Butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA)-treated cotton fabrics were immersed in alkali for increasing time periods and the effectiveness of alkali in removing the cross-linking agent was investigated by surface (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS) analysis, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solubility in specific solvents. The cellulose yield after the chemical ‘stripping’ processes was established and the effect of the alkali treatments on the degree of polymerization of the resultant cellulose determined. Surface analyses and solubility tests suggested that the alkali alone could successfully remove the BTCA from the crease resist-treated cotton fabric and produced a commercially viable yield of cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Dimethylol dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU)-treated cotton fabrics were treated with alkali or alternatively acid followed by alkali for increasing time periods, and their effectiveness in removing the crosslinking agent was investigated by surface (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis, bulk analysis, crease recovery angle performance and solubility in specific solvents. The cellulose yield after the chemical stripping processes was established and the effect of the acid and alkali treatments on the degree of polymerisation of the resultant cellulose determined. Surface and bulk analyses and solubility tests suggested that alkali alone could not remove the DMDHEU from the crease-resist-treated cotton fabric. However, a sequential acid/alkali treatment effectively removed the easy-care finish from the cotton fabric and produced a commercially viable yield of cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]