Development of Temperature and pH Responsive Smart Cotton Fabrics by P(NIPAM–co-MAM) Copolymer Finishing

Abstract

In this study, fabrication of smart polymer and cotton fabrics with temperature- and pH-responsive as well as antibacterial activity was aimed. For this aim, random poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-comethacrylamide) P(NIPAM-co-MAM) copolymers containing different ratio of NIPAM/MAM monomers were synthesized through free radical addition polymerization method via 2,2'-azobis (2 methylpropionamide) dihydrochloride as an initiator. Analysis results showed that the copolymers were synthesized successfully and their LCST values were in the range of 33°C to 41°C. A selected sample of the synthesized copolymers was applied to the cotton fabric via double-bath impregnation method and thermo-responsive wetting property of the fabric was examined via wetting time and water uptake tests, contact angle measurement. The test results indicated that hydrophilic character of the fabric changed to the hydrophobic character reversibly depending on change in temperature. Besides, the fabric exhibited pH-responsive water absorption ability. The fabric could manage water vapor permeability via changing its pore size as well as hydrophilic character depending on temperature. Besides, it was concluded that the fabric had strong antibacterial activity against S.aureus bacteria.