Fabrication of novel multifunctional hybrid materials for PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics finishing

A series of some novel hybrid materials prepared via a sol-gel process have been synthesized from methyltrimethoxysilane and titanium n-butoxide with heterocyclic thiazole azo dyes. Silica/titania/thiazole azo dyes hybrid materials were synthesized via a sol-gel process with a precursor system. Alternatively, the heterocyclic thiazole azo dyes were catalytically processed by means of hydrolysis-condensation reactions with appropriate amounts of a mixture of vinyltriethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and titanium n-butoxide at a fixed molar ratio. The structure of these hybrid silica/titania/thiazole dye materials was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The surface morphology of processed PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed uniform dyeing, thereby confirming the reaction of the hybrid materials with the PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics. The water contact angle, washing fastness, color evenness, air permeability, and weatherability characteristics of the as-prepared dyed PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics were subsequently evaluated. Results revealed improved weatherability and good water repellency. Further, it was also revealed that dyeing and finishing could be achieved in a single bath, which is advantageous to reduce processing costs.