Effect of acid-catalyzed sol-gel silica coating on the properties of cotton fabric

Abstract

Silica sols, used as carriers to incorporate functional ingredients into textiles for obtaining desired functions, could also affect the properties of textiles. Thus, the effects of silica content, coating composition, and coating processes on the mechanical properties, wicking effect, water vapor transmission (WVT), moisture desorption, and handle of the coated cotton fabric were examined. The results indicated that coating cotton fabric using the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)-derived silica sol with weak acidity was advantageous to the improvement of the tensile strength, especially at a higher curing temperature or longer curing time. Tearing strength, wicking height, and WVT rate of the coated cotton fabric all reduced in relation to the uncoated one, especially at a higher curing temperature, or longer curing time, or higher silica content, whereas the addition of (3-glycidyloxypropyl)-trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) weakened the negative effect, especially at lower molar ratios of TEOS to GPTMS. Bending length of the coated cotton fabric increased, especially at higher curing temperatures, or longer curing time, or higher silica content, whereas the addition of GPTMS reduced the negative effect, especially at lower molar ratios of TEOS to GPTMS. The moisture desorption rate of the coated cotton fabric decreased, especially at lower curing temperatures, or shorter curing time, or lower silica content, but the addition of GPTMS in this case did not have a remarkable effect.