Polyester-Polyvinylalcohol Hydrophilization Strategies

Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), also commonly called as polyester, is the most widely used polymer for production of synthetic fibres over past fifty years. The frequent use this PET due to its high mechanical strength combined with other properties such resistance chemical products, stretching and abrasion. fibre’s hydrophobicity impacts difficulty cleaning these materials [1, 2]. Previous works shows that treatment concentrated NaOH solutions can greatly improve hydrophilicity fibre 2, 3, 4]. However a significant decrease takes place during process. In work, strategies counteract negative effect further increase has been tested. particular, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) N, N ́-dimethylol-4, 5-dihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) chemically modified resin in functionalization saponified was carefully analysed. treated fabrics were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy differential calorimetry (DSC). When best process conditions considered PVA-DMDHEU application, presented angle 33.9o, stain release grade 4 45.6% when compared PET.