Treatment of Cotton Fabrics with Ethyl Cellulose Microcapsules

Abstract

Microencapsulation is a process, which enables a controlled loading and releasing of active substances In textiles, the major interest in microencapsulation is currently in the application of durable fragrances, skin softeners, phase-change materials, antimicrobial agents and drugs delivery systems. The capsules can be applied to fibers as dispersion with a binder, using padding, spraying, impregnation, and exhaust or screen-printing techniques. In our research, EC (ethyl cellulose) microcapsules containing essential oils were prepared by phase separation method. Essential oils such as rosemary, lavender, and sage were microencapsulated for odor control applications; they have sedative, antibacterial and deodorant properties. The surface of the obtained EC microcapsules was smooth. The size range of the microcapsules depended on the stirring speed employed in encapsulation (350-1000rpm). Reducing the stirrer speed increased the size of microcapsules. The oil presence in EC microcapsule has been proved by vibrational spectroscopic analysis after microcapsules dissolution in acetone or after sonication in cyclohexane. The obtained EC microcapsules were grafted onto cotton fabrics using 1,2,3,4 butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA). To reduce the temperature of grafting two catalysts, cyanamide and Ν,Ν’-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide were used. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the linking of microcapsules onto textile substrate and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy were involved to study the formation of ester bonds between hydroxyl groups of cotton and hydroxyl groups of EC via BTCA.