Photochromic properties of color‐matching,double‐shelled microcapsules covalently bonded onto cotton fabric and applications to outdoor clothing

In this research, we aimed to apply color‐matching, double‐shelled microcapsules to deal with outdoor‐clothing sunscreen‐indicator identifications on cotton fabrics with a covalent‐bonding coating method; this method allows one to display both the UV intensity and a warning. The color‐property characteristics of color‐matching‐double‐shelled‐photochromic‐microcapsule–treated patterns on cotton fabrics under various sunshine irradiation intensities are very close to those of inkjet‐printing color‐gradation patterns, which indicate sunshine irradiation intensities. Color‐matching, double‐shelled microcapsules were obtained by the addition of red double‐shelled microcapsules into yellow double‐shelled microcapsules. We increased the weight ratio of the red microcapsules and added blue double‐shelled microcapsules into the red double‐shelled microcapsules when the weight ratio of blue microcapsules was increased. Color‐matching, double‐shelled photochromic microcapsules, whose yellow/red/blue weight ratios were 5.6/0/0, 4.8/0.8/0, 2.4/3.2/0, and 0.8/4.8/0–0/0/5.6, presented distinct color‐property characteristic changes under various irradiation intensities and presented a good color identification; a rather dark, bright color; and good laundering durability of covalent bonding on cotton fabrics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44698.