Surface Modification of Cotton Fabric via Silica-Aerogel/ Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Coating: Hydrophobicity and Chemical Resistance Analysis

Authors

  • Aysa Ghasemi Koozekonan Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Somayeh Farhang Dehghan Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Majid Montazer Department of Textile Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Functional Fibrous Structures and Environmental Enhancement (FFSEE), Amirkabir Nanotechnoloy Research Institute (ANTRI), Tehran, Iran
  • Mostafa Pouyakian Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/jhsw.v16i2.22911

Keywords:

Cotton, Silica aerogel, Composite coating, Hydrophobicity, Chemical resistance, Protective textiles

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals has created an urgent need for the development of protective clothing with both breathability and effective protection. This research aimed to modify the surface of cotton fabric using a novel composite coating consisting of silica (SiO₂) aerogel and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to achieve breathability, superhydrophobicity, and chemical resistance simultaneously.

Material and Methods: Cotton fabric samples were coated via immersion in suspensions of PDMS and PDMS/SiO₂ composite. The physical, structural, and functional properties of the coated samples (C/PDMS and C/PDMS/SiO₂) and the uncoated control sample (C) were analyzed using FESEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, air permeability, tensile strength, water contact angle, and chemical resistance tests against four chemicals (water, toluene, acetic acid, and dimethylformamide).

Results: Results demonstrated that the PDMS/SiO₂ composite coating was effectively stabilized on the fabric surface. The composite-coated sample (C/PDMS/SiO₂) achieved superhydrophobicity with a remarkable contact angle of 168°. Furthermore, the coating resulted in a 60% reduction in air permeability compared to the uncoated fabric, indicating the formation of a dense protective structure. In terms of chemical resistance, the composite-coated samples exhibited significant performance improvements. Acetic acid penetration decreased from 17% to 1%, whereas the absorption capacity for toluene increased from 12% to 67%, and for dimethylformamide from 17% to 59%. Additionally, the coating led to a notable enhancement in the fabric’s tensile strength.

Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that the PDMS/SiO₂ composite coating holds high potential for application in protective textiles with multifunctional capabilities, including exceptional water repellency, improved chemical resistance, and retained breathability

Published

2026-10-07

Issue

Volume (16) issue (2)

Section

Articles