Inkjet Printing of Fluorine-free Hydrophobic, Breathable Textile Coatings

Abstract

We report an alternative method of creating hydrophobic and breathable fibers using organic fluoro-free materials causing structural changes on the surface of the fibers without affecting its texture. Crosslinked hydroxyl functional styrene nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion polymerization and deposited onto cotton either manually or via inkjet printing and the final sample was assessed for the durability of hydrophobicity and breathability after mechanical stressing and wash cycles.