Synthesis and characterization of temperature‐responsive copolymers based on N‐vinylcaprolactam and their grafting on fibres |
| |
Authors: | Daniel Crespy Anastasia Golosova Elena Makhaeva Alexei R Khokhlov Giuseppino Fortunato René Rossi |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Empa, Laboratory for Protection and Physiology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH‐9014 St Gallen, Switzerland;2. Moscow State University, Chair of Physics of Polymers and Crystals, Moscow 119992, Russia;3. Empa, Laboratory for Advanced Fibers, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH‐9014 St Gallen, Switzerland |
| |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Responsive materials are able to respond reversibly to an environmental stimulus. When the stimulus is temperature in the physiological range, the responsive material is particularly interesting for textile applications. We describe here the synthesis and characterization of reactive temperature‐responsive copolymers and their subsequent grafting on cotton fabrics. RESULTS: Copolymers of N‐vinylcaprolactam and various reactive monomers were synthesized via free radical polymerization in solution. The copolymers were characterized in terms of chemical structure, molecular weight and temperature‐responsive properties. The copolymer of N‐vinylcaprolactam and methacrylic acid (11 or 22 wt%) and the hydrolysed copolymer of N‐vinylcaprolactam and acryloyl chloride were found to be temperature responsive. They were subsequently grafted on cotton fabrics. The grafting was studied using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy measurements and was found to be effective. Finally, the modified cotton fabrics were found to exhibit temperature‐responsive water regain and water vapour transmission rates. CONCLUSION: Temperature‐responsive copolymers were synthesized, characterized and successfully grafted on cotton fabrics, yielding responsive fabrics. Such fabrics can hence be used to modulate the skin microclimate under textiles. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry |
| |
Keywords: | stimuli‐sensitive polymers temperature responsive temperature switchable thermoresponsive |
|
|