Affiliation:
1. Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
2. Department of Chemistry, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
This study explores the surface modification of polyethene terephthalate (PET) fabric via glycolysis, employing choline hydroxide as an eco-friendly catalyst. A range of chemicals was evaluated for catalysing the glycolysis reaction. Among them, choline hydroxide demonstrated notable enhancements in surface hydrophilicity, moisture regain, wicking properties, and water contact angle, surpassing other catalysts. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed a marked increase in surface roughness and irregularities following glycolysis in the presence of this ionic liquid. The surface modification technique employed in this investigation resulted in a decrease of less than 20% in the breaking force of the fabric. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and the methylene blue staining method confirmed the emergence of free hydroxyl groups on the modified fabric's surface. These findings suggest that glycolysis catalysed by choline hydroxide is a promising approach for enhancing the surface characteristics of polyester fabrics, which may lead to improved functional properties in textile applications.