Biobased Waterborne Polyurethane-Ureas Modified with POSS-OH for Fluorine-Free Hydrophobic Textile Coatings

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethane-urea dispersions (WPUD), which are based on fully biobased amorphous polyester polyol and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), have been successfully synthesized obtaining a finishing agent that provides textiles with an enhanced hydrophobicity and water column. Grafting of trans-cyclohexanediol isobutyl POSS (POSS-OH) to the biobased polymer backbone has also been investigated for the first time and its properties compared to a standard chain extender, 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The chemical structure of WPUD has been characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The thermal properties have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical properties have been studied by tensile stress–strain analysis. Moreover, the particle size, particle size distribution (PSD), and stability of developed waterborne dispersions have been assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Z-potential, storage aging tests, and accelerated aging tests by analytical centrifuge (LUM). Subsequently, selected fabrics have been face-coated by the WPUD using the knife coating method and their properties have been assessed by measuring the water contact angle (WCA), oil contact angle (OCA), water column, fabric stiffness, air permeability, and water vapor resistance (breathability). Finally, the surface morphology and elemental composition of uncoated and coated fabrics have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. All of the synthesized polyurethane-ureas provided the coated substrates with a remarkable hydrophobicity and water column, resulting in a more sustainable alternative to waterproof coatings based on fluoropolymers, such as PTFE. Grafting POSS-OH to the polymeric backbone has led to textile coatings with enhanced hydrophobicity, maintaining thermal, mechanical, and water column properties, giving rise to multifunctional coatings that are highly demanded in protective workwear and technical textiles.

Modifications of Textile Materials with Functional Silanes, Liquid Silicone Softeners, and Silicone Rubbers—A Review

“…They are a more sustainable alternative than waterproof fluoropolymer coatings based on PTFE. WPUD-POSS-OH multifunctional textile coatings showed increased hydrophobicity while maintaining thermal, mechanical, and water column properties, highly needed in protective workwear and technical textile materials [ 227 ].…”

Hybrid Hemp Particles as Functional Fillers for the Manufacturing of Hydrophobic and Anti-icing Epoxy Composite Coatings

“…In the last decades, superhydrophobic surfaces have drawn great attention both in academia and in industry due to their self-cleaning, anti-icing, antifouling, antifogging, and anticorrosive properties. In particular, superhydrophobic surfaces can be useful in many industrial fields, such as automotive, aerospace, textiles, medical diagnostics, and sensing, plus they can be combined with smart functionalities derived from nanoparticles. − The surface wettability is determined by the strength of the cohesive forces within the water molecules and the interaction of the water with the surface itself. When water droplets roll off, keeping the surface dry, the cohesive forces within the water molecules are greater than those on the surface .…”

Highly Efficient Cationic Polymerization of β-Pinene, a Bio-Based, Renewable Olefin, with TiCl4 Catalyst from Cryogenic to Energy-Saving Room Temperature Conditions

“…However, due mainly to considerations on the finite availability of fossil fuels and to environmental concerns as well, bio-based sources for monomers and polymers made therefrom have gained increasing interest in both academia and industry worldwide in recent years (see e.g., Refs. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] and references therein). Among the natural sources of monomers, a variety of terpenes and their derivatives as renewable feedstock have recently been intensively investigated to produce various classes of polymers, such as polymyrcene, polylimonene, etc.…”