ABSTRACT
Cellulosic wastes of El-Nasr Co. for Intermediate Chemicals were used as a starting material for the preparation of water-soluble methyl cellulose. The obtained methylcellulose sample was polymerized with acrylic acid monomer under the initiation action of potassium persulphate to obtain a thickening agent, which acquires - COOH groups like sodium alginate. Rheological measurements revealed that the prepared composite is water-soluble and acquires non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and can be diluted with water at any ratio. The prepared methylcellulose/polyacrylic acid composite was evaluated as thickening agent in printing cotton fabrics with four different reactive dyes. The results of the colour strength, overall fastness properties and the handle of the printed goods indicate that methyl cellulose/polyacrylic acid composite could be used successfully, a thickening agent, either alone or in a mixture with either sodium alginate or emulsion [i.e., as semi-emulsion] in printing cotton fabrics with reactive dyes