Low-temperature and Efficient Crosslinking of Lyocell Knitted Fabric with an Eco-friendly Diepoxy Agent for Fibrillation Resistance

Abstract

Abstract Lyocell fiber is a low-carbon fiber and has many remarkable characteristics, which makes it a good application prospect in the future. However, lyocell fiber is prone to fibrillate under wet friction conditions. This work aimed to prepare lyocell fabric with low fibrillation tendency by an eco-friendly, low-temperature and efficient crosslinking method. Here, the N1, N6-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)hexane-1,6-diamine crosslinked with lyocell fabric to achieve fibrination resistance. The dosage of crosslinking agent, pH values of crosslinking solution, temperature, and time on fibrillation tendency of lyocell fabrics were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe fibrillation tendency, which showed that the lyocell fabric impregnated in 5% EH and pH = 10 solution at 40°C for 30 minutes had almost no microfibrils. In addition, the results showed that the whiteness, mechanical property and dyeing performance of crosslinked lyocell fabric were retained, and the wear resistance was enhanced. This study demonstrated a potential and practical application of this crosslinking agent to diminish the fibrillation of lyocell fabrics.