Fabrication of superhydrophobic aromatic cotton fabrics

Abstract

Aromatic silica nanocapsules were fabricated by loading fragrance into hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and coated onto fibers. The obtained fabrics with aromatic nanocapsules were then hydrophobized by a water-repellent finishing agent to fabricate superhydrophobic aromatic fabrics. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to investigate the morphologies of the nanocapsules and the fabric surfaces. Contact angle measurements of water droplets were conducted to show the wettability of the fabrics. The releasing properties of the silica nanocapsules and the superhydrophobic aromatic fabrics were thoroughly investigated. It was shown that the aromatic silica nanocapsules coated on fibers not only roughened the fabrics, favouring the superhydrophobicity of the substrates, but also imparted the fabrics with long-lasting fragrance due to their sustained-release effect. Importantly, the superhydrophobic property enhanced the sustained releasing performance of fragrance of the aromatic fabrics.