Development of fluorine-free waterborne textile finishing agents for anti-stain and solvent-water separation based on low surface energy (co)polymers

Fabric functionalization to obtain omniphobic textiles is an increasing trend due science and technology push in our current society. Fluorochemicals dominate the water oil-repellent textile finishing market because of their excellent performance. However, fluorinated chemicals release harmful substances giving rise serious damage ecosystems worldwide. In this paper, a series fluorine-free, low surface energy partially bio-based (co)polymethacrylates based on 3-[Tris(trimethylsilyloxy)silyl]propyl methacrylate (M3T) stearyl (SMA) have been successfully synthesized characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Moreover, particle size, size distribution stability developed emulsions assessed laser diffraction spectrometry (LDS) Z-potential measurements. The fluorine-free M3T/SMA applied cotton fabrics padding at several product dosages coated electron microscopy (SEM), EDS element mapping, X ray fluorescence (XRF) olive oil static contact angle measurements, WCA OCA, respectively. Finally, performance treated with new has evaluated compared finished conventional chemicals. All synthetized provide substrates high angles as well solvent-water separation efficiencies. only higher M3T contents showed good repellence oil, being able keep drop for longer times. This time-dependent oil’s wettability observed copolymers units may be ascribed to: i) evolution time free coatings reorientation over side chains SMA during oil; ii) reduced barrier properties lower content bulky tris(trimethylsilyloxy)silyl chains.