The monomer 2-methacrylate-1-methyl pyridine (MAMP) was synthesized by using acryloyl chloride and 2-pyridine methanol.Then

poly(2-methacrylate-1-methyl pyridine) (PMAMP) with different molecular weights was prepared by free radical polymerization of MAMP.PMAMP was further reacted with methyl iodide to give poly(2-methacrylate-1-methyl pyridinium iodide) (PMAMPI) of various cationic degrees.1H-NMR was used to analyze the structure of monomers.The structure of polymer

molecular weight and distribution

cationic degree and heat resistance of PMAMPI were tested using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC)

electrical conductivity test

and thermal gravimetric analysis (TG) respectively.The precipitation experiment and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) tests were performed and it was proven that PMAMPI was hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions.The produced PMAMPI was applied to the salt-free reactive dyeing of cotton fabrics by cold pad batch method to achieve better dyeing properties.The influence of molecular weight and cationic degree of polymers on dyeing performance was studied.The results showed that the influence of molecular weight on color yields was diminished within the testing range due to the broad molecular weight distribution.The deepest color yield of dyed fabric was found at 35% of cationic degree of the polymer.The color yields and colorfastness properties (wash fastness

rubbing fastness and light fastness) of dyed fabrics by using cold pad batch salt-free dyeing method with PMAMPI pretreatment of cotton fabrics were closed to

or even better than

those using conventional salt dyeing method.There was no significant difference in the resulting breaking strength

moisture permeability and air permeability between the salt dyeing method and the studied salt-free dyeing method.It is concluded that the PMAMPI can be used as a salt-free auxiliary in reactive dyeing on cotton fabrics.