The morphology of poly(terminal vinyl dimethicone-co-methyl methacrylate-co-n-butyl acrylate)/pigment composite film and its application in pigment printing of polyester fabric

In this study, a series of poly(terminal vinyl dimethicone-co-methyl methacrylate-co-n-butyl acrylate)/pigment composite particles (P(DMS-Acr)/PB CPs) were successfully prepared via miniemulsion polymerization and their latex film microstructures on were examined carefully using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and so on. Significant phase separation was observed after film formation, and the copper phthalocyanine blue (PB) particles tend to distribute in the polysiloxane island phase. After baking at 120 °C, the protrusions were generated. With increasing amount of vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (ViPDMS) or baking time, the number of the protrusions became more and the appearance of the protrusions tends to be sharp. When the P(DMS-Acr)/PB CPs were applied in fabric printing, a continuous film was formed on the surface of the fabric at room temperature and therefore the gaps between yarns were blocked. However, the gaps in the fabric reappeared after baking at 120 °C, which could be attributed to the rapid flow of the polymer component. Finally, the fiber was coated with a layer of latex film containing a large number of mastoid structures, and the printed fabric could still retain the majority of the gaps between yarns and between fibers. Therefore, the printed fabric exhibited excellent performances such as good air permeability, softness, and rubbing fastness.