Cotton fabric modification for imparting high water and oil repellency using perfluoroalkyl phosphate acrylate via γ-ray-induced grafting

The perfluoroalkyl phosphate acrylates were grafted onto a cotton fabric via γ-ray irradiation to improve the hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. The change in chemical structure of grafted cotton fabric was detected by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The contact angles for water and sunflower oil were determined to be over 150° and 140°, respectively, after irradiated with a dose range of 471–5664 Gy. The flame retardancy of the fabric with a grafting ratio of over 13.0 wt% was improved, reaching to 24 compared with 18 of which before grafted, according to the limiting oxygen index measurement. The microstructure of the fabric before and after grafted was observed by the scanning electron microscope.