Ecofriendly Modification of Acrylic Fabrics for Enhanced Transfer Printability

Abstract

In this study, acrylic fabrics were given desirable properties, such as UV protection, moisture regain, sinking performance, lateral migration performance, hydrophilicity, and air permeability, by coating these fabrics with nanoclay, namely, nanobentonite, and its nanocomposites. The pretreated and untreated acrylic fabrics were modified with different concentrations of sodium polyacrylate/bentonite nanocomposites using the pad-dry-cure technique. The surface morphologies and elemental compositions of the treated and untreated fabrics were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. The particle size of the used nanobentonite was measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The physical properties of the treated and untreated fabrics were measured and compared. Moreover, the performance of the treated and untreated fabrics in sublimation transfer printing with C.I. Disperse Red 60 was investigated. The color fastness properties of the printed fabrics during washing, perspiration, and rubbing were also evaluated. The results verified that treating acrylic fabrics with nanobentonite and its nanocomposites substantially improved the physical properties, transfer printability, and color fastness properties of the fabrics.