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Photochromic fabrics with improved durability and photochromic performance

journal contribution
posted on 2008-10-01, 00:00 authored by T Cheng, Tong Lin, P R Brady, Xungai Wang
Previously, we have reported a method for producing photochromic wool fabric by applying a thin layer of hybrid silica-photochromic dye onto the wool surface. While the photochromic coating showed a very fast optical response and had little influence on the fabric handle, its durability was poor. In this study, the durability of the photochromic coating layer was improved by introducing epoxy groups into the silica matrix via co-hydrolysis and co-condensation of an alkyl trialkoxysilane compound (ATAS) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS). The presence of epoxy groups in the silica enhanced both washing and abrasion durability or fastness. In addition, the optical response speed was slightly increased as well. Effects of the type of alkyl silane and the GPTMS/alkyl silane ratio on the coating durability, fabric handle and optical response were examined.

History

Journal

Fibers and polymers

Volume

9

Issue

5

Pagination

521 - 526

Publisher

Springer

Location

New York, N.Y.

ISSN

1229-9197

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2008, Springer