Development of Environment Friendly Bio Cross-Linker Finishing of Silk Fabric

Abstract

Silk fabric easy care performance was assessed by using carboxylic acids. Cross-linker used in this study was citric acid, while sodium hypophosphite (SHP) was incorporated as a catalyst for cross-linking with silk. Enhancement in the easy care performance and shrinkage was obtained after treatment with citric acid. In addition, formic acid was used as swelling agent and treated fabric exhibited superior performance when it was incorporated in the recipe of citric acid. Antimicrobial performance of the silk fabric was also enhanced by using the above mentioned formulation.

Keywords:

• silk easy care finishing
• citric acid
• swelling agent
• antimicrobial activity
• bio cross-linker