posted on 2021-05-28, 18:42authored byEvdokia
K. Oikonomou, Konstantin Golemanov, Pierre-Emmanuel Dufils, James Wilson, Ritu Ahuja, Laurent Heux, Jean-François Berret
We
report the interactions of cationic latex particles synthesized
by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer/macromolecular
design by the interchange of xanthates-mediated emulsion polymerization
with anionic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cotton fabrics. Latexes
in the size range of 200–300 nm with poly(butyl acrylate) or
poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) hydrophobic cores and a hydrophilic shell
are synthesized. We show that the latex/CNC interaction is mediated
by electrostatics, the interaction being the strongest with the most
charged particles. The adsorption process is efficient and does not
require any functionalization step for either cellulose or latex.
A major result is the observation by cryogenic transmission electron
microscopy of latexes coated with entangled arrays of CNCs, and for
the softer particles, a notable deformation of their structure into
faceted polyhedra. By labeling the latexes with hydrophobic carbocyanine
dyes, their deposition on woven cotton fabrics is studied in situ and quantified by fluorescence microscopy. As with
the CNCs, the highest deposition on cotton in the wet and dried states
is achieved with the most charged latexes. This demonstrates that
CNCs can serve as models to adjust the interactions of latex particles
with cotton and thus optimize manufacturing processes for the development
of advanced textiles.