Abstract
Polyamide 6.6 is one of the most widely used polymers in the textile industry due to its durability; however, it has rather limited modification potential. In this work, the controlled surface modification of polyamide 6.6 fibres using the solvent system CaCl2/H2O/EtOH was studied. The effects of solvent composition (relative proportions of the three components) and treatment time on fibre properties were studied both in situ (with fibres in solvent) and ex situ (after the solvent was washed off). The fibres swell and/or dissolve in the solvent depending on its composition and the treatment time. We believe that the fibre–solvent interaction is through complex formation between the fibre carbonyl groups and the CaCl2. On washing, there is decomplexation and precipitation of the polymer. The treated fibres exhibit greater diameters and surface roughness, structural difference between an outer shell and an inner core is observable, and water retention is higher. The solvent system is more benign than current alternatives, and through suitable tailoring of the treatment conditions, e.g., composition and time, it may be used in the design of advanced materials for storage and release of active substances.
Highlights
Polyamide 6.6 (PA 6.6) is one of the most widely used polymers in the textile industry
We investigated the effects of CaCl2 /EtOH/H2 O on polyamide 6 (PA 6).6 fibres
It was found that the molar ratio between water and ethanol and the amount of calcium chloride in the mixtures are key parameters
Summary
Polyamide 6.6 (PA 6.6) is one of the most widely used polymers in the textile industry. Because of their outstanding mechanical properties, PA 6.6 fibres are used in apparel, in technical textiles, and as reinforcement in textile-based composites. PA 6.6 fibres show very smooth surfaces with low surface energies and are inert towards chemicals. It makes the fibres, in turn, less suitable for applications requiring high adhesion to other compounds or higher sorption capability. In turn, less suitable for applications requiring high adhesion to other compounds or higher sorption capability In such cases, surface treatment techniques are usually applied. Chemical and physical methods are commonly used to change surface properties such as wettability, biocompatibility, adhesive bonding, and dye sorption
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