Surface Modification of Polyester/Viscose Fabric with Silica Hydrosol and Amino-Functionalized Polydimethylsiloxane for the Preparation of a Fluorine-Free Superhydrophobic and Breathable Textile

This work attempted to fabricate superhydrophobic fabric via a simple immersion technique. Textile fabrics were coated with silica nanoparticles prepared from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) obtain sufficient roughness hydrophobic surface chemistry. Then, the treated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) reduce energy. The effects of PDMS concentration on morphology superhydrophobicity as-prepared investigated. composition characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. results revealed formation spherical an average particle size 250 nm throughout surface. possible interactions between APTES, as well fabrics, elucidated. Investigating hydrophobicity water contact angle (WCA) measurement showed that exhibits excellent repellency high 151° very low sliding angle. It was also found maintained most its against repeated washing, WCA decreased 141° after 25 washing cycles. comfort properties obtained in terms air permeability bending length did not reveal any significant changes.