Utilization of Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) to Enhance the Performance Properties as well as UV Protection of Ester Crosslinked Cotton Fabrics

Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) was used as an additive in polycarboxylic acids finishing bathes. It was found that treating cotton fabric with aqueous solution containing 4% PVP, 8% citric acid, and 8% sodium hypophosphite monohydrate, followed by drying at 100 degrees C for 3 minutes and then curing at 180 degrees C for 90 seconds enhance the wrinkle recovery angle and tensile strength of the finished fabrics, as compared with fabrics treated under the same conditions but in the absence of PVP. The finished fabrics were post-treated separately with aqueous solutions of copper acetate and zinc acetate with the aim of improving the UV protection of these fabrics. According to the obtained data, copper acetate was found to have higher extent of UV protection than zinc acetate.