Surface modification of polyester fabrics by grafting pH/thermo-responsive microgels with UV irradiation

摘要

This study investigates the modification of polyester fabrics when dually responsive microgels are grafted on their surface using UV irradiation. The proposed surface modification aims at polyester fabrics with enhanced hydrophilicity which could be controlled eventually by ambient pH and temperature. Anionic thermo/pH-responsive microparticles of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAAM-co-AA)) were used either alone or in complexes with the natural polysaccharide chitosan which is a cationic polyelectrolyte in acidic medium. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics were impregnated with the microgels and irradiated at 254 nm in the presence of benzophenone. Surface modified polyester fabrics were washed with a non-ionic detergent and characterized by SEM and XPS for their surface morphology and composition, respectively. Whiteness index, wetting by drop-test, pore volume distribution and water vapour transmission measurements were performed to assess the effect of the surface modification on the polyester whiteness, wetting time, porosity and moisture transfer, respectively. The results showed improved wettability and moisture transfer of the polyester fabric at 20 °C, indicating improved hydrophilicity. At the same time, the fabric whiteness decreased but its porosity was not significantly affected by the surface modification.