Abstract
At present, research rarely focuses on side effects of the use of mold inhibitors on raw cotton and ramie fabric. Four different mold inhibitors (dimethyl fumarate (DMF), ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate (EHB), propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (PHB), and calcium sorbate (CS)) were used to treat raw cotton and ramie fabric through a dipping method. The optical properties, wettability, thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and combustion properties of treated cotton and ramie samples have been investigated. The reflectance of UV light was improved by the addition of mold inhibitors. In addition, the presence of EHB, PHB, and CS improved the wettability of raw cotton and ramie fabric. It was found that thermal conductivity was slightly increased, influencing the heat insulation effect of the fabrics. Since the additives are flammable, the presence of DMF, EHB, and PHB caused an increase in pHRR and THR for combustion of cotton samples. This addition of CS caused a decrease in pHRR and THR of cotton due to the flame retardancy of CS. This comprehensive investigation of the properties of raw cotton and ramie fabrics treated with these materials should provide a basis for the choice of mold inhibitors.
Highlights
Cotton has been among the most important agricultural products
Wettability and thermal conductivity are other basic properties of raw cotton and ramie fabrics, [11,12,13] which are closely related to the comfort and durability of their products for wearing
UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was proved to be good at investigating the optical property of including cotton fabric [23]
Summary
Cotton has been among the most important agricultural products. It can be processed into a large variety of fabrics applied in the clothing and furniture industries, due to good mechanical properties and affinity to human skin. Some of the mold inhibitors could be the cause of accidents in cotton and ramie storage and transportation due to extreme toxicity and flammability. Wettability and thermal conductivity are other basic properties of raw cotton and ramie fabrics, [11,12,13] which are closely related to the comfort and durability of their products for wearing. With the characteristics of high efficiency and wide-ranging antibacterial, dimethyl fumarate is an effective mold inhibitor [19]. The potential influence of these mold inhibitors on these properties influencing storage of cotton and ramie fabrics has rarely been studied. Four of the most commonly used mold inhibitors (dimethyl fumarate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and calcium sorbate) were chosen to treat raw cotton and ramie fabric. The optical properties, wettability, thermal conductivity, thermal properties, and flammability of treated cotton and ramie fabric have been assessed
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