The In Situ Formation and Photosensitivity of Polymeric Stilbene Fluorescent Brighteners on Wool

Abstract

In situ formation of polymeric stilbene fluorescent brighteners on the surface of wool fabric by interfacial polymerization through reaction of disodium 4,4'-diaminostilhene-2,2'-disulfonate with diacid chlorides and diisocyanates is reported. The color, excitation and fluorescent spectral properties, and photostabilities of the treated wools are reported and compared with wool samples treated with monomeric brighteners. The tensile properties of irradiated polymer-brightened wools were not signifincantly affected by the presence of brightener polymer; however, the irradiated polymer-brightened wools were considerably less reflective and more yellow than irradiated wool samples dyed with monomeric brighteners.