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In this study, in order to improve mechanical properties of cotton fabrics, nano-micro sized calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) was deposited in situ on cotton fabrics. The mechanical properties, surface morphology, crystalline index, infrared spectrum, thermal property, and wettability of the deposited fabrics were measured and discussed. The results showed that the breaking strength of cotton fabric increased by about 10% after in situ deposition of nano-micro calcium carbonate. After ultrasonic washing, the strength of cotton fabric deposited CaCO 3 was still increased by about 10%. The crystallinity of the cotton fabric deposited with calcium carbonate increased from 76% to 84%. The hydrogen bond between cellulose molecules and calcium carbonate was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The hydrophilicity and thermal properties of cotton fabric were not significantly influenced by calcium carbonate deposition. This provides a new idea for improving the mechanical properties of cotton fabric.breaking strength, cotton fiber, crystalline index, nano-micro calcium carbonate | INTRODUCTIONCotton is a rich natural source of cellulose polysaccharide. Cotton fabric is favored because of its excellent wearing comfort, breathability, and dyeability. 1,2 However, the low strength of cotton fabrics may have certain impact on their wearability. The main methods used to improve the strength of cellulose materials are alkali treatment 3 and nanoparticle coating. 4 Among these, alkali treatment is the most widely used method. The tensile strength of natural fibers, such as hemp fibers, 5 okra fibers, 6 and Juncus effusus fibers, 7 improved after alkali treatment. 8

Mercerization had been widely used in the textile industry because of its simplicity and ability to improve the luster, strength, and dyeing properties of cotton fabrics. However, the water transfer behavior of mercerized cotton fabrics had not been systematically investigated. In this work, cotton fabrics were treated with different concentrations of alkali (130 and 260 g/L) for structural characterization (scanning electron microscopy [SEM], Fourier transform infrared [FTIR]), water absorption (vertical wicking height), moisture absorption (moisture return rate), water retention, and so forth, and were compared with industrial mercerized cotton. It meant that water absorbency and water holding capacity of mercerized cotton textiles were improved by reducing surface impurity, increasing amorphous region, and increasing the number of free hydroxyl groups. It was easier for water molecules to move through the fabric as the vertical wicking height increased. Research showed that the water absorption and water transfer properties of cotton fabrics were related to the alkali concentration in the mercerized treatment, and a comparison with industrial mercerized cotton also proved this point. It also showed that the amount of tension had an effect on water transfer in the fabric, which provided further precision in regulating the mercerization process, improving the thermal comfort of mercerized fabrics, and achieving the aim of regulating the mercerization process according to market demand and environmental influences.

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