Wrinkle-free fabric that's environmentally friendly

Researchers have reported a method for making wrinkle-resistant cotton fabrics that is said to be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than current techniques. Writing in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, they say their method has the potential to be used on an industrial scale.

Manufacturers typically use a chemical process called cross-linking to create textiles that are less likely to wrinkle. But these methods often involve agents called N-methylol resins, which contain a significant amount of the hazardous chemical formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde can leak from the clothing during the manufacturing, wearing or washing of clothes, raising environmental and health concerns. Other processes have been developed, but they either still include formaldehyde or are exorbitantly expensive.

Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Donghua University wanted to develop a cross-linking method that could create wrinkle-resistant cotton clothing that overcomes these challenges. The team investigated several chemicals that had been shown to have wrinkle-resistant properties without requiring formaldehyde, then tested different combinations of these chemicals.

The team’s best results were obtained by cross-linking citric acid (CA) with xylitol. Citric acid is a mediocre anti-wrinkling agent, and it tends to yellow fabrics. But when cross-linked with xylitol, the discolouration is mitigated and the anti-wrinkling effect is improved. This citric acid/xylitol combination is made entirely of renewable raw materials, making it environmentally friendly.

The researchers also demonstrated a scale-up method that is said to be more cost-effective than other ‘green’ options and cost-competitive with formaldehyde-based approaches currently used by textile manufacturers. The team concluded that “CA/xylitol has great potential in replacing N-methylol resins on an industrial scale”.

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