Synthesis of a novel perfluorinated acrylate copolymer containing hydroxyethyl sulfone as crosslinking group and its application on cotton fabrics

An acrylate monomer (2-[(2-hydroxyethyl) sulfonyl] ethyl acrylate) containing hydroxyethyl sulfone as crosslinking group was synthesized and a novel perfluorinated acrylate copolymer (NPAC) was prepared by emulsion polymerization. The average size of the emulsion particles was about 101 nm. NPAC was applied to cotton fabric by a pad–dry–cure process. The finished fabric showed excellent water and oil repellency rating and good washing durability without adding extra crosslinking agent. Some other physical performances of the finished fabrics were examined. The dry wrinkle recovery angle (WRA (W + F)°) increased to 214°. The tearing and tensile strength retention and whiteness index (WI) of the finished fabric decreased to 70, 63, and 69.7%, respectively, compared with the untreated fabric.