Admicellar polymerization of 2-hydroxy-4-acryloyloxybenzophenone: The production of UV-protective cotton

Admicellar polymerization was used to modify surface of a cotton fabric in order to improve its ultraviolet protection property. A UV-absorbing agent, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, was covalently bonded to a monomer, acryloyl chloride, and the product, 2-hydroxy-4-acryloyloxybenzophenone (HAB), was polymerized on the cotton surface by admicellar polymerization using sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate as the surfactant. Surfactant bilayer adsorbed on the fiber surface was used as the reaction site for the formation of polymer film. The effects of electrolyte, temperature, and adsolubilizate (HAB) on surfactant adsorption were studied. Surface characterization studies confirmed the existence of the poly(HAB) thin film on the fiber surface which significantly reduced ultraviolet transmission through the fabric. Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of the cotton fabric was greatly improved from a value of 4 for plain fabric to greater than 40 (excellent protection) after treatment with HAB at concentrations greater than 1.2 mM using the admicellar polymerization technique.