Poly(acrylic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) adduct for attaining multifunctional cellulosic fabrics

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Textile Chemistry

Background:

• Acrylic acid and polyethylene glycol are common polymers with diverse applications.
• Textile finishing aims to impart desirable properties such as improved feel, durability, and functionality.
• Developing novel adducts can lead to advanced textile treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel adduct of poly(acrylic acid) and polyethylene glycol (PAA/PEG-600).
• To investigate the potential of this adduct in textile applications, including sizing and functional finishing.
• To evaluate the performance of modified cellulosic fabrics, particularly their enhanced properties and durability.

Main Methods:

• Aqueous polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA) with polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) using ammonium persulfate initiator.
• Structural confirmation of the PAA/PEG-600 adduct using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
• Application of the adduct to cellulosic fabrics (cotton, viscose, cotton/polyester) for sizing and functional finishing with Ag- or TiO2-nanoparticles, followed by characterization using TEM, SEM, and EDX.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and structural confirmation of the PAA/PEG-600 adduct.
• Demonstrated improvement in sizing and hand-building properties of cotton cellulose.
• Enhanced functional properties of treated fabrics, including antibacterial, anti-UV, and self-cleaning capabilities, with excellent wash durability.
• Characterization confirmed the presence and distribution of nanoparticles on the modified substrates.

Conclusions:

• The PAA/PEG-600 adduct is a versatile material for textile finishing.
• The adduct significantly improves the physical and functional characteristics of cellulosic fabrics.
• The modified textiles exhibit durable antibacterial, anti-UV, and self-cleaning properties, suggesting broad application potential.