One-pot fabrication cellulose/silica composite microcapsules and their application in cotton fabrics

Research on multi-functional fabrics is an inevitable trend in the future development of textile field. Nevertheless, the key to the development of multifunctional fabric is how to solve the problem of contradictory function combination and how to achieve the multifunctions. In this work, a novel multifunctional fabric based on cellulose/silica microcapsules was developed by using a facile and economical method. Owing to the loaded essence and hydrophobic coupling reagent and UV absorber modified silica of microcapsules, the coated fabric not only exhibited the slow-release property of fragrance, but also had the excellent superhydrophobicity and ultraviolet (UV) protection. Furthermore, this multifunctional fabric also displayed the durable superhydrophobicity and UV protection even after chemically or mechanically damaged. The development of multifunctional fabrics largely depends on the development of textile functional finishing agent and finishing technology. Therefore, it is very important to develop new functional microcapsules or finishing agent.