Preparation of hydrophilic woven fabrics: Surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) by grafting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl alcohol)-g-(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

One of the most industrially important synthetic textile materials, woven poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics, have limitations in the usage of casual apparel applications due to their unwanted hydrophobicity. For that reason, in this study, to impart permanent hydrophilicity to the PET fabrics, hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and a PVA-based copolymer were introduced to the alkaline hydrolysis pretreated PET surface by graft copolymerization for the first time. The graft modification of PET fabric surface was performed with an industrial-adaptable approach. The synthesis of a novel PVA-g-(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) copolymer was achieved by the introduction of glycidyl methacrylate monomer to the PVA backbone. The structure of the copolymer was evidenced by attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H-NMR techniques. The introduction of PVA and copolymer structures with desired functional groups to the PET fabric surface was confirmed with the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. It was obtained that the contact angle–wetting time of PET fabric (145° and 98 s) could be dropped to 37° and 0.1 s and 64° and 0.7 s after PVA and copolymer grafting, respectively. This suggests that the graft-modified PET fabrics may find the potential of use in the textile applications as the alternative hydrophilic materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48584.     

Discussion of aqueous urethane acrylate oligomers with sulfoisophthalate on the antistatic hydrophilic finishing of different fabrics

In this study, PEG(SE) containing sulfonic acid group was produced by transesterification of dimethyl 5‐sulfoisophthalate sodium salt (SIP) with PEG. The reactive urethane acrylate oligomers were synthesized by using SE as soft segment, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as hard segment, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as blocking agent. Their solution properties and thermal properties were investigated. Dipping process was carried out on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric, polyamide (nylon) fabric, and cotton fabric for hydrophilic finishing and the effects of processing condition on the fixation behavior and hydrophilic property of treated fabric have been discussed. The conclusions are as follows: the particle size of oligomer solutions are about 45–90 μm, surface tension of solutions are below 43 dyn/cm, and they have smaller contact angle than water. The particle size, particle variance, and streaming current reading decreased, but the surface tension and contact angle enhanced upon increasing PEG molecular weight. The melting point of oligomer is 38°C–52°C and the glass transition point is −18°C to −25°C. In comparison with the fabric finishing, the add‐on of PET fabric is the highest, followed by nylon, then cotton. The durability of treated cotton fabric is the highest, followed by PET, then nylon. The hydrophilicity is most stable for nylon fabric with PEG molecular weight of 2,000, and cotton and PET fabric with molecular weight of 1,000. POLYM. COMPOS., 29:45–57, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Facile fabrication of polyester filament fabric with highly and durable hydrophilic surface by microwave‐assisted glycolysis

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric with highly and durable hydrophilic surface was fabricated using microwave‐assisted glycolysis. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a catalyst was proven to be suitable for PET glycolysis under assistance of microwave. The modified PET fabric (0.5% NaOH, irradiation 120 s) showed high surface hydrophilicity with a contact angle of 17.4 ° and a wicking length of 19.36 mm. The exposure of the carboxyl‐ and hydroxyl‐end groups on the surface of PET and the introduction of etches were confirmed by Methylene Blue staining and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), receptively. Although the strength of PET fabric decreased after modification, it was still high enough for textile applications. The thermal properties of the modified PET fabrics were well maintained. The high hydrophilicity and its original properties of PET could be controlled by changing the irradiation time from 60 s to 120 s and adjusting the content of sodium hydroxide from 0.2% to 0.5%. These results suggest microwave‐assisted glycolysis with sodium hydroxide is an effective method for PET hydrophilic finishing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44069.     

Microbial modification of polyethylene terephthalate fabric

A great disadvantage of synthetic fibers is their low hydrophilicity. Polyester fibers are particularly hydrophobic. In the first place, this affects the processability of the fibers. The surfaces are not easily wetted, thus impeding the application of finishing compounds and coloring agents. In addition, a hydrophobic material hinders water from penetrating into the pores of fabric. An additional advantage is a decrease in build‐up of electrostatic charge. Besides an improved processability of hydrophilic textiles, a number of advantages from the consumer's point of view are improved washability, as the water can remove hydrophobic stains more easily, and enhanced wearing comfort due to greater water absorbency. For these reasons, hydrophilicity of polyester fabrics was improved using Trametes versicolor. Incubation conditions were determined as; the polyester fabrics were incubated for 10 days at 28°C and 175 rpm. The modification medium was contained 1 g/L glucose and pH of medium was 4. The modification degree was determined according to the contact angle measurements. Water retention values were compatible with contact angle values. FTIR and SEM images showed that the modification occurred on the PET fabric surface. More hydrophilic PET fabric was made by T. versicolor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Surface modification of textiles by glow discharge technique: Part II: Low frequency plasma treatment of wool fabrics with acrylic acid

In this study, wool fibers are modified by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid regarding to its' hydrophobic character due to cuticular cells at their surfaces. Variables of the plasma glow discharge processes were power (40–100 W) and exposure time (5–45 min). The effect of plasma modification in the performance properties of wool were investigated on the basis of hydrophilicity of wool, average wrinkle recovery angle, and breaking strength. The surface chemical structures of fabrics were examined with x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic wool fabric became hydrophilic after all plasma treatments except one (40W–5 min). Average wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics were between 157 and 178°, while that of untreated fabric was 180°. The treated fabrics had a little bit lower angles according to the untreated fabric. However, even the lowest value as 157° means that the fabric has a good crease resistance property. The breaking strengths of fabrics were increased up to 26% after the plasma treatments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Chemical grafting of curcumin at polyethylene terephthalate woven fabric surface using a prior surface activation with ultraviolet excimer lamp

Durable curcumin‐treated antibacterial polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics (against Staphylococcus aureus) were produced by dyeing with curcumin after surface activation using vacuum ultraviolet excimer lamp at 172 nm. Surface change properties of the exposed fabrics were characterized by surface analysis methods such as wettability, atomic force microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results show an increase in surface hydrophilicity with a water contact angle of the PET fabric reaching 24° after 10 min excimer irradiation, which could be attributed to an increase in carboxyl group formation as confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Varying concentrations of curcumin were immobilized onto untreated and vacuum ultraviolet‐irradiated PET samples using diffusion method at 90°C, and the treated fabrics characterized using K/S (color strength) values at 440 nm. K/S values increased when the PET surface was subjected to a prior excimer irradiation, because of grafting of curcumin at the PET surface. Increased excimer irradiation time increased grafting of curcumin because the inner fabric fiber surfaces were also more thoroughly treated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effect of PEGylated chitosan on plasma etched PET fabrics surface properties

In this work, PEGylated chitosan derivatives were prepared and used to modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics. PET fabrics surface were etched by oxygen plasma before different concentrations PEGylated chitosan derivatives solution treatment. The effects of oxygen plasma and PEGylated chitosan derivatives on the surface properties of PET fabrics are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Surface wettability was monitored by water contact angle measurement and moisture regains. The results showed that the occurrence of oxygen‐containing functional groups (i.e., C?O, C? O, and ? OH) of the plasma‐treated PET and the surface coarseness increased from those of the untreated one. There was a layer film formed on the surface of PET fabrics after PEGylated chitosan modification. The combination treatment of oxygen plasma with PEGylated chitosans lightly lowered the breaking strength and elongation of PET fabric. That moisture regains increased and the contact angle decreased implied the hydrophilicity enhancement for the PET fabrics. In addition, dyeing property of PEGylated chitosan derivative modified PET was improved. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39693.     

Surface modification of polyester and polyamide fabrics by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid

In this study, the surface characteristics of polyester and polyamide fabrics were changed by plasma polymerization technique utilizing acrylic acid as precursor. This monomer was used to produce hydrophilic materials with extended absorbency. The hydrophilicity, total wrinkle recovery angle (WRA°) and breaking strength of the fabrics were determined prior and after plasma polymerization treatment. The modification of surfaces was carried out at low pressure (<100 Pa) and low temperature (<50°C) plasma conditions. The effects of exposure time and discharge power parameters were optimized by comparing properties of the fabrics before and after plasma polymerization treatments. It was shown that two sides of polyester fabric samples were treated equally and homogeneously in plasma reactor. For polyester fabrics, the minimum wetting time, 0.5 s, was observed at two plasma processing parameters of 10 W–45 min and 10 W–20 min, where untreated fabric has a wetting time of 6 s. For polyester fabrics, the maximum value was obtained at 60 W–5 min with the wrinkle recovery angle of 306° where the untreated fabric has 290°. The optimum plasma conditions for polyamide fabrics were determined as 30 W–45 min where 2 s wetting time was observed. Wrinkle recovery angle of untreated polyamide fabric was 264°. In this study, after plasma polymerization of acrylic acid, wrinkle recovery angle values were increased by 13%. No significant change was observed in breaking strength of both fabrics after plasma treatment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2318–2322, 2007     

Fabrication of speedy and super‐water‐absorbing non‐woven cloth with hierarchical three‐dimensional network structure

A novel speedy and super‐water‐absorbing non‐woven cloth with hierarchical three‐dimensional network (3D‐SS‐PET) was fabricated through the induction of UV copolymerization on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers followed by a volume phase transition. The macroscopic three‐dimensional network implied that the PET non‐woven substrates are complicated three‐dimensional fibrous materials including oriented fibers in preferential or random directions. The microscopic three‐dimensional network is poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) (poly(AA‐co‐AM)) crosslinked copolymer layers on the fiber surface. The rapid volume phase transition was achieved by immersing the swelled non‐woven poly(AA‐co‐AM) modified PET (PET‐g‐AA‐co‐AM) in ethanol. The above process was an essential step to prepare the copolymer chain; after that the fiber surface was extended to form abundant capillary channels and plenty of space between fibers. The water contact angle decreased remarkably from 130° to 0°, while the absorbing capacity of the saturated water and the average water‐absorbing rate experienced an increasing trend, rising from 300 to 324.6 g g^?1 in 24 h and 18.6 and 222 g (g min)^?1 in 40 s, respectively. It was concluded that surface hydrophilicity and capillaries of the hydrophilic modified macroscopic fibrous structure enhanced the water‐absorbing rate and the swelling process contributed to the higher water absorption capacity. This speedy and super‐water‐absorbing material exhibits great potentiality in diapers, sanitary napkins, wound dressings, surgical pads, and hygroscopic and sweat‐free underwear in extremely cold areas. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics treated by blends of cellulose nanocrystals and polyethylene glycol

In this study, the coating based on the blends of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cellulose nano‐crystals (CNC) was introduced to immobilize on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics to modify the surface properties of fabrics, and to fabricate comfortable fabrics for formidable climate. Field‐emission scanning electron microscope, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to study the topography, superficial ingredients, and thermal activity of the finished fabrics. The observation of field‐emission scanning electron microscope and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the surface of PET fabrics was covered by CNC/PEG1000/PEG600 coating. The transition onset temperature and phase change enthalpy of PET fabrics treated with CNC/PEG1000/PEG600 were at 7.06°C and 11.41 kJ/kg, respectively. Dimensional memory measurement demonstrated that the introduction of CNC caused the deformation percent to decrease by about 41% for PET fabrics covered with CNC/PEG1000/PEG600 coating. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Studies on thermal activities of fabrics treated by polyethylene glycol

In this study, the special adjusting‐temperature function of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with low molecular weight was introduced. PEGs and a two‐group mixing system of PEGs of different molecular weights were added to fabrics, respectively, and the thermal activities of modified fabrics were studied. In addition, the thermal stability of PEG and fabric at a higher curing temperature was also discussed in detail. The results showed that the thermal properties of PEG decreased after being crosslinked to fabrics and the thermal activity parameters of treated fabrics could be changed and adjusted by selecting an appropriate two‐group mixing system. Some thermolysis and thermooxidative degradation of PEG and fabric used in the investigations might take place at higher curing temperatures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2288–2292, 2003     

Influences of the chain structure of PE‐b‐PEG on the properties of PE/PE‐b‐PEG blend membranes prepared by TIPS

In this article, a series of diblock copolymer polyethylene‐b‐ poly(ethylene glycol)s (PE‐b‐PEGs) with various molecular weight of polyethylene segment was blended with linear low‐density PE. The PE/PE‐b‐PEG blend porous membranes with high porosity were obtained by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PE/LP/PE‐b‐PEG blends indicated that the introduction of PE‐b‐PEG could inhibit the growth rate of polyethylene crystals which could increase the pore size and porosity of the membranes. The PE/PE‐b‐PEG blend membranes with PE₁₃₀₀‐b‐PEG₂₂₀₀ showed the largest pore size and porosity due to its crystallization behavior during TIPS. The surface of the membranes became smoother and the morphology of the membranes could be effectively tuned by introducing PE‐b‐PEG. Compared with the PE membrane, the PE/PE‐b‐PEG blend membranes exhibited higher hydrophilicity (the water contact angle decreased from 112° to 84°), water permeability (the permeation flux increased from 80 to 440 L/m² h under 0.1 MPa), rejection performance (completely reject carbon particles in the filtration of carbon ink solution), and fouling resistance (the value of protein adsorption dropped from 0.25 to 0.05 mg/cm²). The hydrophilicity and fouling resistance of PE/PE‐b‐PEG blend membranes increased as the length of PE segment in PE‐b‐PEGs decreased. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46499.     

Enhancing oil repellency of electron beam-grafted polyethylene terephthalate fabric with 2-(perfluorohexyl) ethyl acrylate monomer via pre-irradiation

Electron beam (EB)-induced graft polymerization is advantageous for the surface modification of fabrics. We investigated the effect of monomer concentration and the addition of alkyl groups on the oil repellency of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics treated with monomers containing fluoroalkyl groups through EB-induced graft polymerization via pre-irradiation. We use 2-(perfluorohexyl) ethyl acrylate (FEA) and stearyl acrylate (SA(C18)) with long alkyl chains as vinyl monomers to induce reaction with radicals generated from EB irradiation. The weight gain and surface morphology of the PET fabrics change with the FEA monomer concentration. The uniformity of the EB-grafted PET fabric surface is determined at low monomer solution concentrations. Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis show that adding 0.1 mol/L of FEA monomer to the EB-grafted PET fabric yields the highest dodecane contact angle of 93.4° and a surface fluorine concentration of 39.8%. The addition of SA(C18) monomer to the FEA monomer decreases the dodecane contact angle by 77.5° and yields a surface fluorine concentration of 19.1%. EB graft polymerization via pre-irradiation results in a uniformly treated surface, and stable oil repellency is achieved when using solely the FEA monomer at a lower monomer concentration than that used in a similar irradiation method reportedly previously.     

Hydrophilization of polypropylene films by using migratory additives

Linear and branched hydrophilic additives of various molecular weights (MWs) were extruded with polypropylene (PP) to make blend films. The surface‐modifying additives included polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydroxyl‐terminated four‐arm polyethylene oxide (PEO), and a commercial hydrophilic additive, Irgasurf HL560. Films were extruded by using a twin‐screw microcompounder at 200°C, and the resulting film thickness was 100 μm. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)‐FTIR spectrometry and water contact angle measurements were performed on the film surfaces over time to investigate the additive migration behavior. Although ATR‐FTIR detected concentration increases for all additives in the subsurface region, there was no significant improvement in surface hydrophilicity for the PEGs and four‐arm PEOs in the same period of time as water contact angles were measured on the surfaces. Among the linear additives, low MW PEG (1 kDa) was found to migrate faster than the high MW varieties. The linear PEG and four‐arm PEO with MW higher than 2 kDa did not exhibit significant migration to the surface within a month. Irgasurf was found to change the surface wettability effectively in a relatively short time. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:57–64, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Dyeing of woven polyester fabric with curcumin: effect of dye concentrations and surface pre‐activation using air atmospheric plasma and ultraviolet excimer treatment

Dyeing of polyester fabric with curcumin was studied at 90 and 130 °C without and with a prior surface activation of polyester fabric using two different ecotechnologies: air atmospheric plasma treatment and ultraviolet excimer lamp at 172 nm. Without surface activation, dyeing with curcumin followed classical disperse dye behaviour, with higher dye uptake at 130 °C than at 90 °C, and saturation was readily reached at 2% dye owf at 130 °C with a colour yield of 22. Surface‐sorbed curcumin molecules extracted with ethanol seemed to increase the colour yield values at 90 °C dyeing, while at 130 °C they decreased the colour yield values. When dyeing was carried out after a prior surface activation of the polyester fabrics, increased colour yield was observed at both dyeing temperatures for the ultraviolet excimer lamp only (with colour yield increasing from 2 to 10 at 90 °C and from 22 to 28 at 130 °C for a 2% dye owf). Indeed, both surface activation methods yielded hydrophilic species at the polyester fabric fibre surface, which were confirmed by water contact angle, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and atomic force microscopy. However, the surface of the polyester fabric activated using plasma lost all of its hydrophilic species, reaching the water contact angle of untreated polyester when subjected to the dyeing conditions. The excimer treatment yields hydrophilic species that are more resistant to high temperature and pressure dyeing.     

Modification of surface properties of wool fabric with linde type a nano‐zeolite

Wool is a naturally occurring composite fiber consisting of keratin and keratin‐associated proteins as the key molecular components. The outermost surface of wool comprises a lipid layer that renders the surface hydrophobic, which hinders certain fabric processing steps and moisture management properties of wool fabrics. In this study, Linde Type A (LTA) nano‐zeolite (a Na⁺‐, Ca²⁺‐, and K⁺‐exchanged type A zeolite) was integrated onto the surface of wool using 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxy silane as a bridging agent. The resultant surface morphology, hydrophilicity, and mechanical performance of the treated wool fabrics were evaluated. Notably, the surface hydrophilicity of wool increased dramatically. When wool was treated with a dispersion of 1 wt % zeolite and 0.2 wt % silane, the water contact angle decreased from an average value of 148° to 50° over a period of approximately 5 min. Scanning electron microscopic imaging indicated good coverage of the wool surface with zeolite particles, and infrared spectroscopic evaluation demonstrated strong bonding of the zeolite to wool keratins. The zeolite application showed no adverse effects on the tensile and other mechanical properties of the fabric. This study indicates that zeolite‐based treatment is potentially an efficient approach to increasing the surface hydrophilicity and modifying other key surface properties such as softness of wool and wool fabrics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42392.     

Effects of pretreatment reagents on the hydrolysis and physical properties of PET fabrics

The effects of pretreatment reagents on the hydrolysis and physical properties of PET fabrics were investigated under various alkaline hydrolysis treatment and pretreatment conditions. Before alkaline hydrolysis, solvent treatment with pretreatment reagents, including benzyl alcohol (PET‐b) or 2‐phenyl ethanol (PET‐p), modified the structure of the PET fabric, thus affecting the hydrolysis and physical properties of the PET fabrics. Fabric weight loss increased with increasing hydrolysis time. The rate constant (k) increased markedly with increasing methyl groups in the pretreatment reagents. The activation energy (E_a) of untreated fabrics was higher than those of the treated fabrics. The crystallinity of the PET fabrics increased with increasing hydrolysis times (t) and methyl groups in the pretreatment reagents. The weight loss of PET‐b increased with increasing pretreatment temperature (T). However, the weight loss of PET‐p increased up to 100°C but decreased above 120°C. The shrinkage of all samples increased with increasing hydrolysis times (t). Shrinkage of PET‐b and PET‐p was greater than that of untreated fabrics. PET‐b displayed greater shrinkage than PET‐p because byproducts polluted the PET fibers. Both the initial and maximum water absorption of the fabrics increased with increasing hydrolysis times (t). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Aqueous reactive PU prepolymer containing sulfoisophthalate sodium for hydrophilic finishing and antistatic finishing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics

In the study, we allowed PEG and dimethyl 5‐sulfoisophthalate sodium salt (SIP) to undergo transesterification to obtain PEG containing sulfonic groups (SE), then used SE and isophorone diisocyanate as soft and hard chains, respectively, and methyl ethyl ketoxime, hydroxyethyl methacrylate or 2,3‐Epoxy‐1‐propanol as blocking reagents to synthesize three kinds of reactive urethane oligomers (MSE, HSE, and OSE). PET textiles treated by oligomers were investigated for their effects to the durable hydrophilic properties of PET fibers under different processing temperatures, time lengths, and oligomer concentrations. The results are concluded and described later: The add‐on and durability of processed fabrics both were improved following the rise of processing temperature and a longer processing time. When oligomer concentration was increased, the add‐on on processed textiles also increased, but their durability decreased. When PEG segment was larger, the add‐on and durability both decreased. The hydrophilicity of processed textiles was proportional to the increase of oligomer concentration. The processing time was more crucial to the hydrophilic property of HSE processed textiles, but for that of MSE, the processing temperature was more important. The hydrophilic property of OSE processed textiles absolutely depended on the add‐on of processed textiles. Textiles processed in oligomers of PEG molecular weight 1000 showed the highest vertical wicking height. Within these three kinds of oligomers, MSE led to the highest add‐on on processed textiles and HSE textiles possessed the best of durability. OSE processed textiles possessed the best hydrophilic efficiency and electrostatic dissipating property. Textiles processed in HSE containing PEG molecular weight 1000 could have the best hydrophilic and durability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

An analysis of the moisture-related properties of hydrolyzed polyester

Alkaline hydrolysis causes pitting of the surface of polyester (PET) fibers and films and improves their wettability, as indicated by contact angle measurements. The enhanced wettability is due to an increase in either the number or the accessibility of polymer hydrophilic groups to water and/or an increase in the roughness of sample surfaces. The increase of void space in the PET yarn and fabric structure, induced by treatment in aqueous NaOH together with the increased wettability of the fibers, was effective in improving the moisture transport properties of the materials. The NaOH-treated PET fabrics transported the water further than isolated corresponding yarns, possibly because, in the fabrics, the spaces between the yarns acted as an additional reservoir that permitted further wicking to occur. It is apparent from immersion and equilibrium wicking capacity tests that a hydrophilic topical finish, as well as a change in the yarn/fabric structure and the hydrophilicity of their surfaces can increase the water holding capacity of PET fabric. The moisture regain and water retention values of the samples were determined, and it was found that such tests are not sufficiently sensitive to distinguish between the hydrophilicity of nontreated PET fabrics and that of PET fabrics modified either by application of a topical finish or by NaOH treatment.     

Improvement in poly(lactic acid) fabric performance via hydrophilic coating

The effects of a hydrophilic coating on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fabric using polyethylene glycol-dimethyloldihydroxyethyleneurea (PEG-DMDHEU) were studied to obtain highly cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) with acceptable fastness properties owing to the possibility of fixation PEG on the fibres surface at lower temperature than melting point of PLA fibres. PEG as a Phase Change Materials (PCMs) imparts thermal adaptability, which is so important for the comfort of textiles, to the substrate. While there is a good adhesion between the fibre and the PEG polymer for cotton and polyester fibres, polymer adhesion to PLA fibres and its effects on PLA fabrics have never been studied. The effect of hydrophilic coating on the PLA fabric was studied in comparison to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric by measuring the thermal regulating effect, antistatic, air permeability, and mechanical properties. The results exhibit the possibility of multipurpose finishing on both fabrics samples leading to permanent thermal regulating effect and durable antistatic finish.