Synthesis of a low-molecular-weight copolymer by maleic acid and acrylic acid and its application for the functional modification of cellulose

1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) can impart good anti-wrinkle properties to treated cotton fabrics, but it also causes significant strength loss. In this paper, maleic acid (MA) and acrylic acid (AA) were employed to synthesize a low-molecular-weight copolymer (P(MA–AA)) for the anti-wrinkle finishing of cotton fabrics with the hope of reducing strength loss. The best molar ratio of MA:AA and reaction time were 2.5:1 and 5 h, respectively. The molecular weight of P(MA–AA) was determined via mass spectroscopy as 376, and the copolymer consisted of two MA and two AA molecules. The recommended anti-wrinkle finishing conditions were 140 g/L P(MA–AA), finishing bath pH of 1.8, curing temperature of 180 °C and curing time of 2 min. Consequently, the P(MA–AA) showed an outstanding finishing effect on cotton fabrics, compared with BTCA, MA, and citric acid treatments. Additionally, the P(MA–AA)-treated fabrics achieved a wrinkle recovery angle, tearing strength retention, and whiteness index of 255.1° ± 3.50°, 51.2, and 76.20%, respectively. This indicates that P(MA–AA) has a potential for industrial applications.