Optimised fluorine free polysiloxane based water repellent for cellulosic fabric

Abstract

This research focuses on creating a new water-repellent finish for textiles utilising a sol-gel process and the combination of 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) and gamma-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH570) as a precursor which was then modified with branched silicone through sol-condensation. A fluorine-free, new-generation polysiloxane-based water repellent was prepared and analysed to achieve the best water repellent characteristics. Different parameters and conditions were tested during the preparation of chemicals to achieve this. After preparation, all the chemicals were characterised using various scientific analysing tools such as Fourier Transform Infrared radiation, thermogravimetric analysis, particle size analysis, contact angle and water-repellent testing. Following the particle size investigation, it was discovered that the particle size distributions for these samples were homogenous and advantageous, allowing for more efficient contact and penetration with the textile fibres. The results of this study confirm the existence of functional groups that can contribute to the desirable characteristics of the compounds to repel water with one coupling agent, KH570:KH560 = 0.02 mol:0.04 mol, showing particularly good water-repellence performance.