Fabrication of cotton nano-powder and its textile application

A combination of chemical and mechanical treatment of cotton produced cotton powder (fibrils) with a mean diameter of 97 nm is analyzed by Laser Particle Size Analyzer. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) study showed that the diameter of the fibrils was about 10–30 nm and the length was from 70nm to over 400 nm. The powder was then coated onto fabrics (100% polyester fabric, 100% wool fabric and 100% cotton fabric). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study showed that cotton fibrils were adhered to the surface of treated fabrics (fibers). The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value (AS/NZS 4399: 1996) for cotton fabrics increased about 20% after the treatment. This implies that the treated samples give a better protection from UV light. The moisture management test (MMT) of the fabrics such as wetting time at bottom, top maximum absorption rate, bottom maximum absorption rate, bottom maximum wetted radius and bottom spreading speed, et al., showed that there were significant changes after the treatment. These changes gave better moisture management ability to the treated fabrics and thus made the fabric more comfortable. However, Wide-angle X-ray Diffraction and Fourie Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis proved that supermolecular structure and chemical structure of treated fabrics were the same as the original fabrics. Other properties of the treated fabric such as thermal conductivity, wrinkle recovery, hand, et al., did not change. This implied that the basic function of the treated fabrics for the clothing industry was the same as untreated fabrics. This study is a foundation for further researches on textile application. Supported by Science Foundation of the Hong Kang Polytechnic University