Zinc oxide sol-containing diallylmethyl alkyl quaternary ammonium salt synthesized by sol–gel process: characterization and properties

Abstract

Zinc oxide sols-containing quaternary ammonium bromide compounds, including diallylmethyl dodecyl/tetradecyl/hexadecyl/octadecyl ammonium bromide, were synthesized from zinc acetate and quaternary ammonium bromide compounds via sol–gel process. Effects of alkyl chain length and double allyl of quaternary ammonium salts on the stability of the sols were investigated. The sols were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Morphologies of the sols were observed with transmission electron microscopy. The various zinc oxide sols were applied to cotton fabrics. Antibacterial activity, UV resistance, and mechanical properties of the treated fabrics were tested. It was verified that alkyl chain length and double allyl of quaternary ammonium salts had effects on the stability of the sols. Application results showed that UV resistance and antibacterial rate of the fabric finished by zinc oxide sols-containing quaternary ammonium salts first increased and then decreased with an increase in the alkyl chain length of quaternary ammonium salts. However, the sols had negative effects on breaking strength and elongation at break of the fabric.