New washing-free printing binder based on organosilicon-modified polyacrylate for polyester fabric printing of disperse dyes

Based on the disperse dye washing-free printing technology, a new washing-free printing binder was prepared through organosilicon modification of polyacrylate (PA) by mini-emulsion polymerization to achieve high color yield and color fastness of the printed fabric. The washing-free printing properties, structure, thermal behaviours, and surface characteristics of organosilicon-modified polyacrylate (PDMEMA) were intensively investigated. The migration-diffusion-fixation mechanisms of disperse dyes (DD) from PDMEMA film to polyester fiber (PET) were tentatively explored. Results showed that using PDMEMA with vinyl terminated polysiloxane 4313 g/mol at 4 wt %, the washing-free printed polyester fabric obtained the best washing-free printing properties. The color yield, color fastness and handle of PDMEMA surpassed those of commercial printing binders. The organosilicon modification of PA widened the differences of solubility parameters between DD and PDMEMA, contributing to the migration-diffusion of DD from PDMEMA film to PET and the fixation into PET. The decrease of the glass transition temperature of PDMEMA accelerated the migration-diffusion process of DD towards PET. Meanwhile, the organosilicon chain-segments of PDMEMA shifted onto the film surface in baking, which realized the directional transfer of DD from film to PET.