Synthesis, characterization and efficiency evaluation of chitosan-polyurethane based textile finishes.

A series of polyurethane dispersions were synthesized through two step polymerization technique. A PU prepolymer with NCO termini was prepared using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), poly caprolactone diols (CAPA of mol. wt. 1000) and DMPA (3:1:1), and PU prepolymer chain was extended with different mole ratios of low molecular weight chitosan and finally aqueous emulsion was prepared by adding suitable volume of water. The proposed structure of chitosan based PU dispersions was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy. The prepared aqueous CS(LMW)-CPUIs emulsions were applied onto the different quality plain weave poly-cotton dyed and printed fabric pieces using pad-dry-cure procedures. The physical properties such as air permeability, stiffness and crease recovery angle (CRA), pilling resistance, tear and tensile strength of the treated and untreated fabric samples were also evaluated. The results revealed that the incorporation of chitosan has pronounced effect on the properties of treated fabrics. This research could be extended in future for performance evaluation of pure cotton and woolen fabrics.