Modification of bentonite nanoclay for textile application

The influence of the bentonite content (1, 3, 5 wt%) on the mechanical properties of lightweightcotton (C), polyester (P) and polyester-cotton (P/C 50/50) fabrics was investigated. Starch was used asa water-insoluble binder for coating fabrics. Bentonite nanoparticles were obtained by repeated hydration,decantation and evaporation of the water dispersion. The bentonite particle size was determinedby the XRD method using the Debye-Scherrer equation. The diffraction of the laser beam was used todetermine particles size distribution. The addition of bentonite nanoclay significantly improved tensilestrength (26-61% and 99–118% in the warp and weft direction, respectively) and tear strength (4‒13%and 5–24% in the wrap and weft direction, respectively) of coated fabrics. Their abrasion resistancehas also slightly increased. The biggest changes were noted for the cotton fabric, the smallest for thepolyester fabric, which may result from the low compatibility between starch and the polyester fabric.