Electrokinetik Phenomena of 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane-Based Cotton Finishing

The textiles are characterized by their inner and outer structure and functional groups. Specific adsorption of ions or dissociation of the surface groups in aqueous solution result in their surface charge. Changing the number of functional fiber surface groups, e.g. by blocking in dyeing and finishing processes, and their dissociation affect the distribution of surface charge, as well as the thickness and distribution of the electric double layer which results in different fabric electrokinetic phenomena [1-4]. Immersed in water (pH 6.5-7.0) cotton fibers, like most textile fibers, are negatively charged in neutral and alkali aqueous solutions [5]. Therefore, the adsorption of textile auxiliaries, dyestuffs, optical brighteners and finishing agents is difficult due to repulsive forces. Cationisation, as an alternative method for improving dyestuff and surfactant adsorption, increases cotton zeta potential and changes the fiber surface charge [3, 4, 6-10]. Hashem et al. among others, studied the parameters of application of a non-polymeric cationic agent such as epihalohydrin; 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (EPTAC) and 3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) by pad-roll and exhaustion methods, but as after-treatment only [8, 10]. On the other hand, Grancaric, Tarbuk et al. [3,4] introduced cationisation during mercerization processes, which resulted in new material. Recently, some commercial products for the same purpose have been developed. In the last years, the sol-gel technique has remarkably proved its exceptional potential regarding the functionalization of textile fabrics. Sol-gel solution leads to the formation of completely inorganic or hybrid (organic-inorganic) coatings that can be used to confer functional properties, such as antimicrobial, water repellency and flame retardancy [11]. In this study 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) has been selected for the cationisation of cellulose due to the presence of amine groups into polysilane network.