Eco-friendly functionalization of cotton fabric using carboxymethyl chitosan and PLA graft copolymer for enhanced textile performance

Abstract

This study presents the eco-friendly functionalization of cotton fabric using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and its poly( L -lactic acid) graft copolymer (CMCh-g-PLA) to enhance textile performance and reduce reliance on toxic finishing agents. The CMCh-g-PLA copolymer was synthesized via graft copolymerization under optimized conditions (10 g/L K 2 S 2 O 8 , 2 g/L PLA, 2 g/L MBA at 70 °C for 3 h) and characterized using FTIR, SEM, and TGA. Cotton fabrics were treated with CMCh and CMCh-g-PLA at optimal conditions (50% modifier based on fabric weight, 60°C, 60 min). Structural and thermal analyses confirmed successful grafting, with modified fabrics exhibiting improved thermal stability compared to untreated cotton. Mechanical and physicochemical evaluations revealed enhanced tensile strength, chemical resistance, moisture resistance, and reduced swelling in various solvents. Furthermore, dyeing experiments with Reactive Orange 14 and Direct Orange 31 demonstrated superior dye uptake and color fastness in modified fabrics. These findings indicate that CMCh and CMCh-g-PLA are viable sustainable modifiers for developing functional cotton textiles with increased durability, performance, and eco-friendliness.