Impregnation of Cyanuric Chloride into Synthetic Fabrics (PET and PP) by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and its Application in Immobilizing Natural Biomacromolecules

Abstract

Biomacromolecules (sericin or chitosan) were immobilized onto the surface of synthetic fibrous fabrics (PET and PP) via a cross-linking agent of cyanuric chloride. Prior to the immobilization of biomacromolecules, cyanuric chloride was introduced to the fabric surface by an impregnation treatment in scCO 2. The impregnation process was optimized by a variety of treatment parameters, such as pressure, temperature and time, and with or without co-solvent. The immobilization process was performed in an aqueous system. A detailed surface characterization was conducted after each process step using the following techniques : ATR-IR, XPS and SEM. The hydrophilicity of the modified fabrics was assessed by measuring water contact angle and wicking rate. The results show improvements in surface wettability and water absorption ability in the modified fabrics of PET and PP, especially for the CC-PET fabrics finished by biomacromolecules (sericin or chitosan).