Construction of multifunctional coating for polyester/cotton fabrics using layer-by-layer assembly of biomaterials and spraying of fluorine-free polydimethylsiloxane

Abstract

Polyester/cotton (T/C) fabric has the excellent properties of both cotton and polyester, and is widely used in the textile field. However, the fabric is highly flammable. Further, the facile growth of bacteria on the fabric surface may lead to contamination that precludes application in some areas. Multifunctional T/C fabrics with flame retardancy, superhydrophobicity and antibacterial property have been prepared by construction a surface coating of phytic acid, chitosan, ferric ion and polydimethylsiloxane via a finishing method. The coated T/C fabric exhibits excellent flame retardancy with a LOI value of 30.2% and a char length of 10.0cm for combustion. The coated T/C fabrics also display superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle (WCA) greater than 150°. The multifunctional coated T/C fabrics exhibit good antibacterial properties with inhibition of bacterial growth for E. coli and S. aureus of over 98%. Thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy suggest that the multifunctional coating on T/C fabrics produces an intumescent flame retardant effect involving both the promotion of char formation in the condensed phase and the evolution inert species to the gas phase to dilute the fuel load in the combustion zone. A new strategy for the preparation of textile fabrics with good flame retardancy, superhydrophobicity and antimicrobial properties by application of a multifunctional surface coating has been developed.