Plasma-induced adhesion improvement of cotton/polypropylene-laminated fabrics

In this study, improvement in the adhesion strength of plasma-pretreated and laminated cotton/polypropylene (PP) fabrics using acrylic-based adhesive was investigated. Low-temperature, low-pressure oxygen plasma was utilized for surface modification of cotton/PP-laminated fabrics. Water absorption time was measured on plasma-treated cotton fabrics at different plasma power and treatment time conditions. The plasma conditions providing the fastest liquid absorption on the surface were selected and applied during plasma pretreatments. Surface wettability increased with increasing plasma power and plasma exposure time. Plasma-induced surface morphology changes were observed via Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that oxygen content on the surface increased with plasma treatment, which contributed to the surface polarity and hydrophilicity. Peel bond strength results of untreated and plasma-treated samples were analyzed to determine the effect of plasma pretreatment process. Adhesion strength values of laminated samples, before washing and after 40 wash cycles, were determined by peel bond strength tests. Before washing, adhesion strength of plasma pre-treated, laminated samples was 28–60% higher than that of untreated laminated fabrics. After 40 wash cycles, adhesion strength of plasma pre-treated and laminated samples was about 40–69% higher than the untreated laminated fabrics. Peel bond strength values decreased with the increased number of wash cycles. Plasma pretreatment enhanced both the adhesion strength and washing resistance of laminated samples.     

Structure and catalytic activity of Al-MCM-48 materials synthesised at room temperature: Influence of the aluminium source and calcination conditions

MCM-48 aluminosilicates with different aluminium contents were synthesised by a room temperature procedure using tetraethoxysilane and aluminium sulfate, isopropoxide or tert-butoxide as metal sources. The samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, and ²⁷Al MAS NMR and the catalytic activity tested in the reaction of 1-butene double bond position isomerisation. The influence of the synthesis time and calcination conditions, such as heating rate and time at final temperature, on the structural and catalytic properties of the materials was also evaluated. Aluminium isopropoxide and sulfate allowed the preparation of well structured Al-MCM-48 materials, with high specific pore volume and uniform pore size, and with the majority of the aluminium incorporated in tetracoordinated environment after calcination, at least down to Si/Al of 15. The highest initial conversions were found for samples with Si/Al = 20 and 30 prepared with aluminium isopropoxide and calcined using a heating rate of 3 K min⁻¹, with those of samples prepared with aluminium sulfate being slightly lower. Al-MCM-48 materials with high specific pore volume and uniform size were also synthesised using aluminium tert-butoxide, but the materials were less well ordered, presented a higher proportion of hexa- and pentacoordinated Al species and exhibited lower initial conversions, independently of the synthesis time or calcination conditions tested. It is concluded that aluminium isopropoxide and sulfate are more adequate metal sources than aluminium tert-butoxide to prepare Al-MCM-48 catalysts by this room temperature method and a calcination heating rate of 3 K min⁻¹ instead of 1 K min⁻¹ produces more effectively active catalysts.     

Modification of cellulose fiber with silk sericin

Cellulose fiber surface was modified with silk sericin (or simply, sericin). Sericin fixation on cellulose was confirmed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR). Sericin content in finished samples was estimated by dyeing treated fabrics with an acid dye, Supranol Bordeaux B, and determining K/S and L values of the dyed fabrics. The treated fabrics were tested for free formaldehyde content, crease recovery, tensile strength, electrical resistance, water retention, and biocidal activity. From ESEM and FTIR‐ATR results, it was found that sericin coated onto cotton surfaces as a film. Increasing sericin content in the finishing solution increased the amount of coated sericin, and a greater depth of color in dyed samples and reduced free formaldehyde content in treated samples were observed. The sericin content in samples was found to have a negligible influence on tensile strength and crease recovery angle. With increasing sericin content, electrical resistivity of the samples dramatically decreased and water retention increased, indicating that sericin‐treated fabrics may be comfortable to wear because of its maintenance of moisture balance with respect to human skin. Because cotton textile coated with sericin exhibited low formaldehyde content and no biocidal activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, the fabric may reduce skin irritation and disturbance of physiological skin flora arising from textile contact. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1421–1428, 2005     

Electrostatic self‐assembly dyeing of cotton fabrics

A new approach to the dyeing of cotton fabrics using an electrostatic self‐assembly method was evaluated. Cotton fabrics were pretreated with 2,3‐epoxypropyltrimethylammonuium chloride and cationic charges were produced on the fabric surfaces. For the dyeing of cotton fabric, reactive and acid dyes were used. Oppositely charged anionic reactive/acid dyes and cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) were alternately deposited on the surface of cationised cotton fabrics. Ten multilayer films of dye/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) were deposited on the cotton fabric surfaces using a padder. The build‐up of the multilayer films and the level of colour strength (K/S) achieved are discussed. Samples of cotton fabrics were also dyed with the same dyes, but using the exhaust method, and both types of dyed samples were compared. The washing, rubbing and light fastness properties were evaluated for the dyed fabrics.     

无甲醛抗皱整理剂的研究与应用

分别用戊二醛-水解淀粉-柠檬酸和乙二醛-水解淀粉-柠檬酸两种方法对织物进行防皱整理。研究了柠檬酸-水解淀粉与乙二醛（或戊二醛）以不同摩尔分数比,及不同的焙烘温度、焙烘时间,催化剂[MgCl2]浓度对棉织物整理效果的影响。并对两种整理方法的防皱效果进行比较。结果显示：与2D树脂、乙二醛-水解淀粉-柠檬酸相比,戊二醛-水解淀粉-柠檬酸处理棉织物的折皱回复角有较大提高,强度也有所提高,是比较理想的防皱整理方法。     

Dyeing and finishing of cotton fabric in a single bath with reactive dyes and citric acid

Simultaneous dyeing and durable press finishing of cotton fabrics with reactive dyes and citric acid finishing agent was carried out using a pad-dry-cure process. Factors affecting the process, such as the concentration of dye, citric acid, catalyst and alkali, as well as the curing temperature, were investigated. The dyed and finished fabrics were evaluated with respect to colour strength, crease recovery angle, breaking strength and fastness properties.     

Determining the dependence of colour values on yarn structure

The colour values of knitted cotton fabrics made from single and plied ring and compact yarns were investigated before and after dyeing. The fabric samples were knitted under the same constructional properties and then dyed with direct and reactive dyes. It was found that fabrics with ring yarns had high lightness and low chroma and colour strength values compared with fabrics with compact yarns. Also colour strength and colour difference values of dyed fabrics were assessed after increasing abrasion cycles (2500, 5000, 7500 and 10 000). The main changes in colour strength values were observed at 2500 abrasion cycles. The effect of abrasion on colour difference values of fabrics having ring yarns was more obvious than fabrics having compact yarns.     

Preparation and performance evaluation of phosphorus-nitrogen synergism flame-retardant water-borne coatings for cotton and polyester fabrics

Three phosphorus-nitrogen content effective synergist flame-retardant water-borne coatings have been synthesized, and their structures were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. Cotton and polyester fabrics have been treated by coatings to improve their flame retardancy. The thermal performances and flame retardant properties of treated samples were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), horizontal flame test, vertical burning test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The combustion performances of cotton and polyester fabrics have proven to be strongly affected by flame-retardant coatings and HFD-coating performed the best. As a result, the LOI value of treated cotton increased to 22.5, and the UL-94 value of treated polyester achieved V-0. In addition, the antistatic behavior, hydrostatic pressure, tearing strength and wrinkle recovery angle of samples were studied carefully, and the results showed that all of these performances were improved.     

Synthesis of some new 2‐[(2,3‐dihydroinden‐1‐ylidene) hydrazinyl]‐4‐methylthiazole derivatives for simultaneous dyeing and finishing for UV protective cotton fabrics

Several 2‐[1‐(1,2‐dihydroinden‐3‐ylidene) hydrazono]‐5‐aryldiazo‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐thiazoles were synthesized by reaction of 1‐(1,2‐Dihydroinden‐3‐ylidene) thiosemicarbazide with different hydrazonyl chlorides. The products are water insoluble and UV absorbers, expressed UPF‐rating values, and their H₂O/DMF solutions were used in simultaneous dyeing and resin finishing of cotton fabrics. Results obtained show that finishing of cotton samples in presence of any of that dyes, irrespective of dye concentration, brings about an improvement in percent nitrogen, wrinkle recovery angle (WRA), dyeability, and UV protection rating values along with slight decrease of tensile strength (TS) compared with the untreated samples. Irrespective of dye structure, increasing the dye concentration from 0.5 and up to 1.7% results in an improvement in the percent nitrogen, TS and a remarkable improvement in both the dyeability, UPF‐rating values along with slight decrease in WRA and lower fastness properties of the treated fabrics. The treated fabrics was characterized using energy dispersive X‐ray analysis indicating the entrapped dye within the fabric structure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Using Persulfate Oxidized Chitosan as a Novel Additives in Easy-Care Finishing for Cotton Textiles

Easy care finishing of cotton fabric using glyoxal in the presence and absence of low molecular weight chitosan, i.e., persulfate-oxidized chitosan, as a novel additive along with MgCl₂·6H₂O as an acid catalyst was studied in detail. Major factors affecting finishing reaction were studied with respect to glyoxal, oxidized chitosan, and catalyst concentrations in addition to curing time and temperature of treatment according to the pad-dry-cure method. The obtained results show the following findings: (a) increasing the glyoxal concentration from 5–50 g/l in absence of oxidized chitosan is accompanied by an increase in crease recovery angle and a decrease in tensile strength of the finished fabric, whereas that treated in the presence of oxidized chitosan shows a higher tensile strength and to some extent comparable crease recovery angle with respect to that finished in the absence of it when the concentration of glyoxal increases; (b) increasing the oxidized chitosan concentration is accompanied by decreasing crease recovery angle, whereas the tensile strength increases when glyoxal concentration increases within the range studied; (c) increasing the MgCl₂·6H₂O from 0–15 g/l is accompanied by an increase in the crease recovery angle and a decrease in tensile strength of the finished fabrics in the presence and absence of oxidized chitosan; (d) increasing the time and temperature of curing of the finished fabrics is accompanied by an increase in crease recovery angles and decreases in tensile strength; and (e) the dry wrinkle recovery angle of cotton fabric samples finished in presence of O-chitosan is decreased after washing, and the higher the washing cycle the lower the dry wrinkle recovery angle.     

Nucleation and Growth of Anatase Crystallites on Cotton Fabrics at Low Temperatures

Anatase nanocrystalline titania coatings were produced on cotton fabrics from alkoxide solutions using a low-temperature sol–gel process under ambient pressure. Titania coatings of the anatase form were obtained via a classical hydrolysis and condensation reaction of titanium isopropoxide that was followed by a boiling water treatment for 180 min. Spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations of the titania thin films showed that the anatase form is predominant throughout the film after the boiling water treatment and that the size of the grains is about 20 nm. The titania coating on fabrics is a promising process for use as an antibacterial photocatalyst in the textile industry.     

The study of rapid curing crease‐resistant processing on cotton fabrics. Part I. The effect of chitosan on the physical properties of processed fabrics

The principal aim of this study is to explore the effect of chitosan on the physical properties of cotton fabrics in rapid curing crease‐resistant processing. It was determined that compared with the traditional three‐stage processing, the addition of chitosan is beneficial to the absorbency of processed fabrics, dry‐wet wrinkle recovery angle, and tensile strength retention. In addition, the dry‐wet wrinkle recovery angle of processed fabrics increases with the increase of curing temperature and curing treatment time, but absorbency and tensile strength retention both decrease. Also, the dry‐wet wrinkle recovery angle and tensile strength retention of processed fabrics increase with higher chitosan concentrations, but the fabric's absorbency is reduced. In general, use of 0.5%≈︁0.75% chitosan with DMEU curing treatment conditions of 8%, 200°C for 30 s will provide optimum physical property balance for processed fabrics. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 35–40, 2000     

Influence of chitosan posttreatment parameters on the fixation of pigment‐based inks on ink‐jet‐printed cotton fabrics

Cotton fabrics were digitally printed with pigment‐based black ink with an HP Desk‐Jet 880C printer. These ink‐jet‐printed fabrics were posttreated with chitosan samples for the fixation of the pigment‐based ink on the cotton. The influence of various parameters, including the molecular weight (MW), application method (pad–dry–cure vs pad–batch), concentration, and pH, on the degree of fixation (DF) of the pigment‐based inks was examined. The chitosan‐posttreated cotton samples were evaluated for their color strength, DF, color difference, and whiteness index values and their colorfastness properties. Chitosan samples with MWs of 150,000 and greater than 375,000 showed 100% (complete) fixation of the pigment‐based inks on the cotton fabrics. DF drastically decreased in the chitosan with an MW of less than 5000. Both the pad–dry–cure and pad–batch methods were found to be suitable for chitosan application onto ink‐jet‐printed fabrics. Chitosan with an MW of 150,000 showed 100% fixation at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1%. A further decrease in the concentration significantly decreased the fixation. High fixation values were achieved at acidic pH, whereas a neutral to alkaline pH resulted in poor fixation. The colorfastness properties for each parameter studied are also discussed. The posttreatment of the digitally printed cotton with chitosan was found to be very effective in fixing the pigment‐based inks. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Surface modification of polyester nonwoven fabrics by Al2O3 sol–gel coating

Nonwoven polyester (PET) fabrics have been extensively studied for various applications. However, the nonwoven PET fabrics have poor wettability. In this work, nonwoven PET fabrics were impregnated in a stable and transparent alumina sol that was prepared by the hydrolysis of aluminium isopropoxide using the sol–gel technique. The Al₂O₃ particles were coated on nonwoven PET fabrics after the rolling-drying process. The surface morphology of modified nonwoven PET fabrics was characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The SEM and AFM observations revealed the formation of the Al₂O₃ particles on the fiber surface. The Al₂O₃ coating was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The mechanical properties of the coated nonwoven PET fabrics were investigated using a tensile strength test, and the results showed that the mechanical properties were improved after surface sol–gel coating. The effect of Al₂O₃ on the wetting behavior of the fabric was also significantly improved.     

Metal complexes of natural and synthetic fabrics grafted with vinyl monomers by gamma irradiation

Graft copolymers of natural and synthetic fabrics with acrylic acid (AAc) prepared by gamma irradiation were transformed into metal complexes of the divalent metal ions of cobalt, nickel, and copper. The factors that affect the grafting process without affecting the physical properties of fabrics and homogeneous grafting were studied. These factors involved inhibitor (FeCl₂) concentration, solvent composition, AAc concentration, and irradiation dose. The results showed that the appropriate irradiation dose in all cases was 20 kGy, whereas the inhibitor concentration was 0.1 wt% in the case of cotton and 0.2 wt% in the case of cotton/polyester blend and polyester fabrics. The suitable solvent composition was H₂O (90%)/MeOH(10%) in the case of cotton and H₂O (90%)/MeOH(10%) in the cotton/polyester blend and polyester fabrics. On the other hand, the suitable AAc concentration was 30% in the case of cotton and 50% in the cotton/polyester blend and polyester fabrics. The homogenous grafting and subsequent distribution of metal complexation was illustrated by a method based on the measurement of color parameters. Moreover, the effect of radiation grafting and metal complexation on the water absorption and mechanical properties of fabrics was investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Durable UV-protective cotton fabric by deposition of multilayer TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles films on the surface

Durable ultraviolet (UV)-protective cotton fabric has great application potential in outdoor cotton clothing. In this study, oppositely charged TiO₂ nanoparticles were deposited onto cotton fabric through the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, resulting in multilayer films with UV-protective properties. The mechanism of the technology has been investigated through characterization of the structure and properties using different techniques including FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and a scanning electron microscope with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum. The results showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles distributed uniformly on the surface of cotton fibers. The TGA results indicated that the TiO₂ nanoparticles deposit on cotton fabrics had little effect on the thermal stability of cotton fabrics. The tensile strength and air permeability of the cotton samples were tested by a universal material testing machine and automatic ventilation instrument. The UV protection property of cotton fabric after assembled multilayer films was measured by an ultraviolet transmittance analyzer, and the laundering experiments were carried out to determine the durability of TiO₂ nanoparticles on cotton fabric. The results showed that the UV protection property of cotton fabrics after assembled TiO₂ nanoparticles was still maintained at a high level after five launderings.     

Two-step durable press treatment of cotton fabric

In this paper cotton fabrics were treated by two different methods with polycarboxylic acids (citric acid and butanetetracarboxylic acid) for durable press performance. The first was a two-step method in which the fabric was initially treated with citric acid and then treated by butanetetracarboxylic acid. The other was a mixed method in which the fabric was treated with a solution containing the two mixed polycarboxylic acids. Following the treatments, the wrinkle recovery angle, strength and strength retention of the resulting fabric were measured and compared.     

A method for dyeing cotton fabric with anthocyanin dyes extracted from mulberry (Morus rubra) fruits

For the first time, the natural anthocyanin dyes (mainly consisting of cyanidine 3‐glycoside) extracted from mulberry (Morus rubra) fruits has been successfully used to dye cotton fabric, with a dyeing property performance good enough for potential commercial applications. In this study, succinic acid was firstly incorporated into cotton fabrics by esterification to the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, forming an anionic site for the dyes. The performance of the modified material was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and tensile strength. Results showed that the tensile strength of cotton fabrics was mostly retained after modification. The anthocyanin extracts from mulberry fruits were used to study the dyeability of the control and modified cotton fabrics. Red and deep purple (aubergine) are two main shades of cotton fabrics dyed with mulberry fruit extracts. Most importantly, aubergine shade is rare in cotton fabrics dyed with natural dyes. Modification with succinic acid clearly increased the colour strength of the dyed cotton fabric. The colour strength of dyed cotton fabric was improved from 2.7 to 5.3 in the case of dyeing without mordants, and from 3.2 to 6.9 in the case of dyeing with tin mordanting. Meanwhile, the colour fastness was improved by 0.5–2 grades with increasing succinic acid concentration in the finish solution. The colour fastness to perspiration, crocking, light, and washing of fabric dyed with simultaneous tin mordanting and modified with 30 g l^?1 of succinic acid was found to be acceptable, with a grey scale grade of at least 3. As for home laundering, neutral soapy solution was more acceptable than alkaline soapy solution.     

Structural,electrical, and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline and polypyrrole

In this study, the structural, electrical, and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline (PAni) and polypyrrole (PPy) were investigated and compared. For the aims, anilin and pyrrole were used as monomers, and in situ polymerization on cotton fabric by chemical oxidative polymerization was performed. After production, the structural properties of the fabrics were determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. In addition, ultraviolet (UV) permeability, tensile strength, colorfastness, and electrical and electromagnetic measurements of the fabric samples were carried out. The resistance values of the cotton fabrics coated with PAni and PPy were found to be 350 and 512 Ω, respectively. The average electromagnetic shielding efficiency and average absorption values of the cotton fabrics coated with PAni were determined to be 3.8 dB and 48%, respectively, and these values for the cotton fabrics coated with PPy were 6 dB and 50%, respectively. Consequently, a significant difference was not observed between the resistance values and electromagnetic parameters of the fabrics coated with PAni and PPy, although the intact textile characteristics of the fabric coated with PPy were protected and improved, whereas the characteristics of the fabric coated with PAni were inferior. Moreover, we first report that the fabrics coated with conductive polymers had excellent UV‐protection properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Application of DMEU/SiO2 gel solution in the antiwrinkle finishing of cotton fabrics

In this experiment, cotton fabrics were treated by padding, drying, and curing with an antiwrinkle finishing reagent, dimethylolethylene urea (DMEU), in combination with different concentrations of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and isopropanol (IPA) at various volumes. The treated fabrics were studied to determine the effects of adding TEOS and IPA. They were also analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to examine the binding between SiO₂ and DMEU. The results showed that hydrogen bonds formed between SiO₂ and DMEU. TEOS was found to improve the antiwrinkle properties, tensile strength retention, and yellowing of the treated fabrics, although their softness was slightly reduced. The solvent IPA was shown to decrease the tensile strength of treated fabrics, although it improved their antiwrinkle properties. We observed only one stage of pyrolysis in untreated cotton fabrics, whereas the treated fabrics showed two stages. In addition, the fabrics treated with TEOS showed improved heat resistance. Our findings demonstrated that cotton fabrics showed excellent antiwrinkle properties and high tensile strength, when treated with a finishing solution composed of DMEU, 3% TEOS, IPA and water, followed by predrying and curing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4136–4143, 2006