Thermal Behavior of Microencapsulated Fragrances on Cotton Fabrics

• Published in: Textile research journal 2009-03, Vol.79 (4), p.365-380
• Main Authors: Monllor, Pablo, Sanchez, Lourdes, Cases, Francisco, Bonet, Maria Angeles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cellulosic fibers; Fabrics; Fourier transforms; Infrared radiation; Infrared spectroscopy; lint cotton; microencapsulation; Scanning electron microscopy; Studies; Textile industry; thermal properties
• ISSN: 0040-5175; 1746-7748
• DOI: 10.1177/0040517508097520

Microencapsulated products are very common in some fields, such as pharmacy, and the textile industry has recently incorporated them into their products. First, this research assessed the presence of fragrance microcapsules on cotton fabric using different padding applications and evaluated them using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). When the OH stretching region between 3700—3000 cm— 1 from spectra was examined, we proposed some area ratios to quantify the microcapsules' presence on the fabric. The ratios proposed showed that when the concentration of microcapsules in the padding bath increased, their value increased too. Secondly, we analyzed the effect that thermal treatment can cause on microcapsules. This was undertaken using hot air at 120 °C, 140 °C and 160 °C, or by ironing the fabric impregnated with microcapsules at 110 °C, 150 °C and 200 °C, by ironing 1, 5 and 10 times on the analyzed zone. It was found that when the temperature was higher than 120 °C, microcapsules were deflated and damaged. This could be seen using SEM images and checked using FTIR analysis.