No. Mercerized cotton is more absorbant. Mercerising results in
the swelling of the cell wall of the cotton fibre. This increases
the surface area and reflectance, giving the fiber a softer feel
and, if the fiber is held under tension, producing a shiny surface.
Due to the increased surface area, mercerised cotton will absorb
7-8% more than unmercerised cotton. The process was originally
developed to make cotton more readily absorb dye.