Performance of cotton fabric treated with an amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer

An amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP-NH₂), synthesized from methyl acrylate and diethylene tri-amine by polycondensation, was applied to treat cotton samples by a pad-dry-cure method. Physical properties, salt-free dye-ability, antimicrobial activity, and antiultraviolet property of the treated cotton samples were tested. The crystallinity and mechanical properties, including breaking strength, breaking elongation, and Young’s modulus of the treated cotton fibers, increased slightly in comparison with those of the untreated cotton fibers. The thermal stability and the moisture regain were also improved slightly. Dyed with direct dyes and reactive dyes in the absence of the electrolytes, the treated cotton fabric showed similar or higher color strength compared with the untreated cotton fabric in conventional dyeing. The treated cotton fabric can also be dyed with acid dyes effectively. In addition, the treated cotton fabric showed good antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The study of the antiultraviolet properties of the treated cotton fabric indicated that the HBP-NH₂ contributed to the reduction of UV transmission and the increase of UPF.     

Multifunctional modification of wool fabric using graphene/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

In this study, a new finishing technique is introduced through treatment of wool fabric with graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite. Graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite first applied on the wool fabric by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide in graphene oxide suspension and then this coating chemically converted by sodium hydrosulfite to graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite. The homogenous distribution of the graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite on the fiber surface was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray mapping. X-ray diffraction patterns proved the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a crystal size of 127 Å on the treated wool fabric. Also, the defect analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) established the composition of the nanocomposite. Other characteristics of treated fabrics such as antibacterial activity, photo-catalytic self-cleaning, electrical resistivity, ultraviolet (UV) blocking activity and cytotoxicity were also assessed. The treated wool fabrics possess significant antibacterial activity and photo-catalytic self-cleaning property by degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. Moreover, this process has no negative effect on cytotoxicity of the treated fabric even reduces electrical resistivity and improves UV blocking activity.     

Fabric objective measurement of the plasma-treated cotton fabric subjected to wrinkle-resistant finishing with BTCA and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

Handle is an important factor when designing the end-uses of fabric as it is also a critical factor for purchasing decision. In the present study, the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-F) was used for measuring the fabric handle of BTCA-TiO₂ treated cotton fabric with or without plasma pre-treatment. The results revealed that the BTCA-TiO₂ treated cotton fabrics without plasma pre-treatment had a negative effect on tensile, shearing, compressional, and surface properties while the bending properties were improved. On the other hand, the plasma pre-treatment improved the tensile and compressional properties, but not the bending, shearing, and surface properties.     

In situ loading TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and its photocatalysis and UV resistance on cotton fabric

Anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles was in-situ formed on the cotton fabric by using tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) as a precursor through the normal pressure hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV visible spectra (UV-VIS), ATR-IR were used as the characterization techniques. Photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ on the fabric surface was evaluated by methylene blue (MB), 4 kinds of the common living stains and three dyes under ultraviolet and visible light radiation. XRD analysis found that the TiO₂ loaded on the fabric was mainly anatase crystalline phase with particle size of 6.4 nm. SEM observed that a large number of nano TiO₂ particles are distributed on the fabric surface. UV-VIS test indicated that theTiO₂-coated fabric possessed an obvious absorption for ultraviolet. ATR-IR analysis indicated that the nano-TiO₂ possesses a strong affinity with the hydroxyl group of the cotton fabric, and the soaping tests showed that the TiO₂ was firmly bonded with the fabrics. The treated fabrics have good degradation ability for MB aqueous solution, and could degrade azo, anthraquinone and phthalocyanine dyes. The order of degradation of the common life stains was: pepper oil> tea > coffee > soy sauce.     

Development of UV Protective,Superhydrophobic and Antibacterial Textiles Using ZnO and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles

In this research work, multifunctional cotton fabric comprising of UV protection, superhydrophobicity and antibacterial activity has been developed using facile pad-dry-cure method. In the first step, the concentration of repellent chemical has been optimized. Then, formulations containing nanoparticles of ZnO or TiO₂ along with optimized concentration of repellent chemical and organic-inorganic binder have been applied to cotton fabric followed by the evaluation of functional properties. The surface morphology and elemental composition of treated fabric has been characterized through SEM and EDX, respectively. The treated samples have shown promising UV protection, superhydrophobicity and antibacterial properties durable upto 20 washing cycles.     

Modification and Characterization of Nano-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for Efficient Fixation on Cotton Fibers

In this paper, a silane coupling agent, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, was reacted with nano-TiO₂ to introduce amino group onto it which was then reacted with trichlorotriazine to obtain a dichlorotriazine functionalized nano-TiO₂ for the firm fixation of it on cotton fibers. The reaction process was monitored by the titration of primary and secondary amino groups, and the reaction conditions were optimized with orthogonal method accordingly. The dichlorotriazine functionalized nano-TiO₂ was reacted with cotton fabric by the nucleophile substitution reaction to afford nano-TiO₂ functionalized cotton fabric, the structure and surface morphology of the nano-TiO₂ finished cotton fibers were studied by FT-TR and SEM. In addition, the fixation duration of the nano-TiO₂ modified cotton was studied according to AATCC test method 61–2010. The results show that the washing fastness of the nano-TiO₂ is excellent.     

A Novel Green Stabilization of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles onto Cotton

Facile embedding of TiO₂ nanoparticles onto cotton fabric has been successfully attained by ultraviolet light irradiations. The adhesion of nanoparticles with fibre surface, tensile behaviour and physicochemical changes before and after ultraviolet treatment were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and inductive couple plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Experimental variables i.e. dosage of TiO₂ nanoparticles, temperature of the system and time of ultraviolet irradiations were optimised by central composite design and response surface methodology. Moreover, two different mathematical models were developed for incorporated TiO₂ onto cotton and tensile strength of cotton after ultraviolet treatment and used further to testify the obtained results. Self-clean fabric through a synergistic combination of cotton with highly photo active TiO₂ nanoparticles was produced. Stability against ultraviolet irradiations and self-cleaning properties of the produced fabric were evaluated.     

Self-cleaning Properties of Nylon 6 Fabrics Treated with Corona and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles under Both Ultraviolet and Daylight Irradiations

Nylon 6 fabric with self-cleaning properties was prepared by corona discharge pre-treatment and coating with TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) using pad-dry-cure technique. The self-cleaning property was studied by discoloration of methylene blue (MB), ketchup, tea and coffee stains from the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon-6 fabric. Color difference (ΔΕ*), reflectance (R) and K/S of MB stain were investigated by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry. The MB stain was almost completely removed from the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon surface after 24 h under UV light/daylight irradiation. Both of these phenomena (corona and TiO₂) led to an increase in the discoloration of stains under UV and daylight irradiations. The EDS analysis showed an increase in the concentration of deposited TiO₂ NPs coating after corona treatment. The FE-SEM images revealed that the surface of nylon 6 was coarser after the corona treatment. Also, the FE-SEM micrographs exhibited that a uniform layer of TiO₂ NPs was formed on the corona treated nylon fabric. The corona+TiO₂ treated nylon illustrated antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtillis microorganisms. The EDS and FE-SEM analysis confirmed that after 5 washing cycles, the amount of TiO₂ NPs was higher on the surface of corona+TiO₂ treated nylon than that of the fabric only treated with TiO₂ without corona pretreatment. This result justifies that the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon fabric with appropriate self-cleaning property can be applied cost-effectively in the textile industry.     

Synthesis and properties of silicone polyetheramine block copolymer surfactant

In the presence of Pt catalyst, α,ω-hydrogenpolysiloxane reacted with allyl glycidyl ether, and an intermediate α,ω-diepoxysiloxane was formed. The epoxy cyclic-opening reaction was conducted between the intermediate and polyetheramine in isopropanol solution, the silicone polyetheramine block copolymer (BPEAS) was thus made. The chemical structures of BPEAS were characterized using IR and ¹H-NMR separately. Then cotton fabric was treated with BPEAS for application purpose. The finishing effects were tested in terms of film morphology, hydrophilic ability, softness and mechanical properties. The recorded results showed that BPEAS can be used directly to treat cotton fabrics without adding any emulsifier at the viscosity of 6700 mPa·s and amino value of 0.6009 mmol/g. Bending rigidity and hysteresis of the treated fabric decreased by 53.53 % and 67.39 %, the drape coefficient dropped by 15 %, whereas the wrinkle recovery angle increased by 57.14 %. The treated cotton fabric is hydrophilic, and has a bulky soft hand, better anti-wrinkle property compared to the untreated one.     

Nano-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> based multilayer film deposition on cotton fabrics for UV-protection

Nano-TiO₂ based multilayer nanocomposite films were fabricated on cationically modified woven cotton fabrics by layer-by-layer molecular self-assembly technique. Cationization process was used to obtain cationic surface charge on cotton fabrics. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were used to verify the presence of cationic surface charge and multilayer films deposited on the fabrics. Scanning electron microscope micrographs of poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)/TiO₂, nano polyurethane/TiO₂, and TiO₂/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) multilayer films deposited on cotton fabrics were taken. With nano-TiO₂ based multilayer film deposition, the protection of cotton fabrics against UV radiation is enhanced. The UV protection durability of the self-assembled multilayer films deposited on the cotton fabrics was analyzed after 10 and 20 washing cycles at 40 °C for 30 min. Air permeability and whiteness value analysis were performed on the untreated and multilayer film deposited cotton fabrics. The effect of layer-by-layer deposition process on tensile strength properties of the warp and weft yarns was determined.     

Properties of basic dyes on polyacrylonitrile treated m-aramid fabrics

Treatment of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) onto m-aramid fabric was carried out by pad-dry-cure method using dimethylformamide (DMF) dissolved acrylic fiber solution. The obtained PAN treated m-aramid fabric was dyed using exhaustion method with basic dyes. The effect of PAN treatment on fabric stiffness property was acceptable with acrylic fiber solutions ranging from 1 wt% to 4 wt%. Whilst, more than 4 wt% PAN treated fabrics exhibited undesirable stiffness. The dyeing results showed that PAN treated m-aramid fabrics exhibited a significant increase in color strength when compared to untreated fabric, arising from an increase in anionic dye sites (styrene SO₃ ^? group). Wash fastness was comparable to that of untreated fabric, indicating the strong interaction between dye molecules and the PAN. Rubbing fastness of treated fabrics was not affected by treatments with PAN concentrations lower than 4 wt%. Further increase in PAN concentration led to poorer rubbing fastness property due to the problem of surface dyeing. For light fastness, the PAN treatment failed to improve the light fastness property which is the main disadvantage of basic dyeing of aramid fabric. Finally, in case of PAN treatments with the range of 1 wt% to 4 wt%, the flame retardancy property of PAN treated m-aramid fabrics was found not affected by the percent add-on. However, above 4 wt% PAN treatment, the flame retardancy performance became deteriorated.     

Thin film deposition by PECVD using HMDSO-O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Ar gas mixture on knitted wool fabrics in order to improve pilling resistance

In this work knitted wool fabrics were coated by a Si:O_x:C_y:H_z thin film with the aim to promote pilling resistance. The wool samples were plasma coated in a radio frequency (RF) glow discharge using hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) as the precursor, in mixture with argon and oxygen gases, for different deposition times and reaction pressures, at constant discharge power. Deposited films were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and surface morphology by means of scanning electron microscopy; moreover, propensity to pilling of treated samples was investigated, showing that treated fabrics had a better pilling performance respect to untreated ones.     

Preparation and property of TiO2/SiO2 multilayer film on the fabric by sol-gel process

The high light reflection of multilayer TiO₂/SiO₂ film was prepared on the fabric by the sol-gel process. The size of titania and silica particles in hydrosol was analyzed by Nanosizer, and the morphology of TiO₂/SiO₂ multilayer film on the fabric was characterized by SEM. The reflection spectra of the samples were tested accordingly, and it showed that the reflection of the fabric coated by multilayer film was higher than that of the monolayer film. Moreover, the reflection increased with the increase of layer number. For sunlight fastness testing, the fabric color changed less with the increase of layer number, which showed the multilayer film on the fabric can improve the light resistance of the fabric. The mechanical property, the bending property and air permeability testing results showed that there was little change for the coated fabric compared with the original fabric.     

Synthesis of a dodecylphenylsiloxane oligomer resin/silica nanocomposite and its application to cotton fabrics

A novel dodecylphenylsiloxane oligomer resin/nanocomposite (PHDESR-SiO₂) was prepared by graft copolymerization between dodecyl modified phenylsiloxane resin with pendent epoxy groups (PHDESR) and amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (BTEPA-SiO₂). PHDESR-SiO₂ was then used to prepare a super hydrophobic surface on cotton fabric by a facile solution-immersion process method. Chemical structures, chemical compositions, wettability, surface morphology, and thermal properties were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FT-IR), ¹H-NMR spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), static contact angle analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Particle size distribution (PSD) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the target product PHDESR-SiO₂ has an anticipative structure with many micro/nanostructure tubercles, a cross-linked network hydrophobic organosilicon resin film and many clusters of cylindrical dodecyl molecular brushes. This created super hydrophobic structure on the surface of the treated cotton fabrics. XPS analysis indicated that the long carbon chain groups had a slight tendency to enrich the film-air interface. In addition, PHDESR-SiO₂ can provide good hydrophobicity for the treated fabric. As the dose of PHDESR-SiO₂ increased, the hydrophobicity of the treated fabric enhanced and consequently the water static contact angle reached 152.5 °. This had little influence on the softness, color, and gas permeability of the fabrics. This makes it slightly stiff at high doses, and the super-hydrophobic cotton fabric also had good launderability.     

Synthesis of cationic core-shell fluorine-containing polyacrylate soap-free latex and its application on cotton substrate

Fluorinated polyacrylate latexes are preferably potential materials for use in the textile finishing due to their special surface property and especially economical, low-toxic characteristics compared to fluorinated polyacrylate solutions. A novel cationic fluorine-containing polyacrylate soap-free latex (CFMBD) with core-shell structure was accordingly developed by co-polymerizing dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DM) using a cationic reactive emulsifier, maleic acid double ester-octadecyl poly(ethyleneoxy)₂₀ ether-ethylene trimethyl ammonium chloride (R303). Then CFMBD was utilized to treat the cotton fabric. Results showed that the as-prepared latex had due structure and its particles had uniform spherical core-shell structure with an average diameter of 125 nm. The core-shell CFMBD latex film thus had two T _g and its thermal property was improved due to the introduction of DFMA. CFMBD could form a smooth resin film on the treated fabric/fiber surface under FESEM observation. XPS analysis indicated the fluoroalkyl groups had the tendency to enrich at the film-air interface. Hydrophobicity of the CFMBD treated fabric was slightly superior to that of the fabric treated by general emulsion but their oleophobicity was identical. Contact angles of water and diiodomethane on the CFMBD treated fabric surface could attain 133.5 ° and 105.5 °, respectively. However, washing durability of the treated fabric by CFMBD showed improvement compared to the general emulsion. In addition, CFMBD didn’t influence whiteness of the treated fabric but would make it slightly stiff at high doses.     

Improving thermal conductivity of cotton fabrics using composite coatings containing graphene, multiwall carbon nanotube or boron nitride fine particles

Graphene, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and fine boron nitride (BN) particles were separately applied with a resin onto a cotton fabric, and the effect of the thin composite coatings on the thermal conductive property, air permeability, wettability and color appearance of the cotton fabric was examined. The existence of the fillers within the coating layer increased the thermal conductivity of the coated cotton fabric. At the same coating content, the increase in fabric thermal conductivity was in the order of graphene > BN > MWCNT, ranging from 132 % to 842 % (based on pure cotton fabric). The coating led to 73 %, 69 % and 64 % reduction in air permeability when it respectively contained 50.0 wt% graphene, BN and MWCNTs. The graphene and MWCNT treated fabrics had a black appearance, but the coating had almost no influence on the fabric hydrophilicity. The BN coating made cotton fabric surface hydrophobic, with little change in fabric color.     

Multifunctional,Hydrophobic and Flame-retarded Cotton Fabrics Modified with Liner Piperzine/Phosphorous/Polysiloxane Copolymer

α,ω-di[(4-butoxy-piperazin-1-yl)-phosphinic acid methyl ether]-terminated linear polysiloxane (PNPDMS) was synthesized and utilized as the flame retardant and hydrophobing agent. The flame retardance and thermal decomposition behaviors of cotton fabrics were systematically estimated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analysis and vertical burning test, respectively. It was found that the LOI of cotton fabric treated with PNPDMS enhanced to 29.82 % compared with cotton fabric without treatment, whose LOI was only 18.00 %. The treated cotton fabric showed a shorter char length, a shorter After-flame time, and no After-glow time as revealed in vertical burning test. The mechanical property in treated cotton fabric was slightly decrease. Furthermore, the grade of water repellency of treated cotton fabric reached to 90 and water contact angle (WCA) increased to 141.90° compared with cotton fabric without treatment whose WCA was 62.80°. The result showed that the cotton fabric treated with PNPDMS exhibited excellent flame retardance and hydrophobic properties.     

Robust Water-Repellent Treatment of Cotton Fabrics with Polysiloxane Modified via Thiol-Ene Click Reaction

A facile and inexpensive way to prepare self-crosslinkable poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) for superhydrophobic treatment of cotton fabrics is reported in the study. Through thiol-ene click reaction between mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMOS) and vinyl-containing poly(dimethylsiloxane) (VPDMS), PDMS-g-TMOS can be simply and quickly synthesized. The trimethoxysilane group of PDMS-g-TMOS can react with hydroxyl group on cotton fabric and other -Si(OCH₃)₃ groups. The synthesized polysiloxane (PDMS-g-TMOS) was identified by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR. The morphology of the treated cotton fabric was observed by SEM and XPS was used to analyze the elemental composition on the surface of cotton fabric. The analysis results indicated that the surface was fully covered with PDMS. Due to the low surface energy of PDMS and the rough surfaces of cotton fabric, the optimized water contact angle (WCA) and sliding angle were respectively 154°±0.4° and 14°±0.5°, indicating superhydrophobicity. Moreover, water spray test (AATCC Test Method 22-2010) was also applied to evaluate the water repellency of treated cotton fabric and a score of 90 was assigned according to AATCC Test Method 22-2010. The durability of treated cotton fabric was tested by 50 laundering cycles. The resultant WCA barely decreased and the score of water spray test dropped from 90 to 80, showing the reasonable wash durability.     

Preparation of the cotton fabric with ultraviolet resistance and antibacterial activity using nano attapulgite colloidal particles

A carefully designed surface modification technique for the preparation of multifunctional cotton fabric was successfully developed by the functionalization of cotton fabric with nano attapulgite (ATP) colloidal particles. The dispersion of the nano ATP colloidal particles, the morphology, microstructure, thermal stability, ultraviolet resistance, antibacterial activity and air permeability of the treated cotton fabric were characterized. The results showed that the particle size of the ATP particle distributed between 100 nm to 150 nm after dispersion. The SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectra) analysis demonstrated that the ATP particles were successfully introduced to surface of the cotton fabric. The structural and thermal stability of the treated fabric were higher than those of the untreated fabric. The ATP treated cotton fabric possessed excellent ultraviolet resistance and antibacterial activity. Furthermore, the treatment did not affect the wear ability of the cotton fabric. The multifunctional cotton fabric meets the market demand for natural products.     

Effect of nano SrTiO3 supporting nano TiO2 on self-cleaning of cotton fabric

This study reports the results of an investigation aiming at finding what affect nano titania (TiO₂) and nano strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) on self-cleaning of cotton fabrics. The photocatalytic activity of nano strontium titanate has been examined on cotton fabric under UV irradiation in various concentrations in mixing of nano titania. The amount of loaded nano titania and nano strontium titanate particles on cotton fabrics were investigated using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and crystallinity of coatings by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The treated cotton fabrics, which were stained with two common synthesized dyes, were exposed to 400 W UV radiation for 30 hours and their self-cleaning property was investigated by a reflectance spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show pervasion of nano materials on the surface of the treated cotton. Adding nano strontium titanate to nano titania showed the most promising photocatalytic activity toward dye degradation.