A flexible, soft superabsorbent polyester-cotton blended fabric in-situ coated by poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylic acid)

Abstract

A novel pre-synthesized polymer is fabricated with sodium polyacrylate and acrylic acid through free radical polymerization. Interestingly, the pre-synthesized polymer is further polymerized on the polyester-cotton fabric in the presence of glycerol as a cross-linking agent forming superabsorbent fabric. The composite functional fabrics is prepared by two steps, namely synthesis and finishing process. Owing to the vital role of the viscosity of pre-polymer for the superabsorbent property, the effect of monomer concentration, temperature, time, dosage of initiator and degree of neutralization on the viscosity of pre-polymer is thoroughly investigated. Besides, the effects of the degree of neutralization and dosage of polymerization solution as well as cross-linking agent on the water absorption of the composite and unfinished polyester-cotton blended fabrics is compared, respectively. After treatment, the water absorption capacity increases from 1 to 323.52 g/g in 1 h, reaching a maximum value of 417.53 g/g after 3.5 h. Besides, the water transportation obeys a Fickian diffusion mechanism. Furthermore, the composite fabric exhibits an optimum water retention capacity of up to 4 h. This speedy and super-water-absorbing material exhibits great potential in practical applications, such as in sanitary articles, wound dressings, and soil moisture.