Synthesis of Active Graphene with Para-Ester on Cotton Fabrics for Antistatic Properties

The excellent electrical properties of graphene provide a new functional finishing idea for fabricating conductive cotton fabrics with antistatic properties. This work develops a novel method for synthesizing active graphene to make cotton fabrics conductive and to have antistatic properties. The graphite was oxidized to graphene oxide (GO) by the Hummers method, and was further acid chlorinated and reacted with the para-ester to form the active graphene (JZGO). JZGO was then applied to cotton fabrics and was bonded to the fiber surface under alkaline conditions. Characterizations were done using FT-IR, XRD and Raman spectroscopy, which indicated that the para-ester group was successfully introduced onto JZGO, which also effectively improved the water dispersibility and reactivity of the JZGO. Furthermore, this study found that the antistatic properties of the fabric were increased by more than 50% when JZGO was 3% by weight under low-humidity conditions. The washing durability of the fabrics was also evaluated.