Alkoxysilyl group-containing polybutadienes as effective agents for the hydrophobization of cotton fabric

The study focused on the hydrophobization of cotton textiles. Polybutadienes substituted by alkoxysilyl groups were used to modify cotton fabric. Compounds were obtained via thiol-ene click reactions. Cotton textiles were modified through a dip-coating process. The influence of the amount of the functional group on a polybutadiene chain was investigated. Moreover, the influence of the spacer length between the polybutadiene hydrocarbon chain and alkoxysilyl groups on the hydrophobic effect of modified fabrics was also investigated. Hydrophobicity was assessed by measuring the water contact angle (WCA) and capacity of absorption of a water drop. Moreover, in order to confirm the modification of cotton surface, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and SEM analyzes were performed. The obtained results showed that all performed modifications gave a strongly hydrophobic effect on the textile surface. In the best method superhydrophobicity was achieved. Moreover, the performed research confirmed the durability of investigated modification for multiple washing processes as a result of the presence of alkoxysilyl groups in polybutadienes.