Improvement of Liquid Wetting and Retention Properties of Wool Fabric in Nonionic Surfactant Solutions

The effects of 0.1g/dl nonionic surfactant solutions on liquid wetting and retention properties of wool fabric are reported. The 10 different nonionic surfactants (Span 20, Tween 20, 40, 60, 80, 21, 61, 81, 65, 85), wool cloth (EMPA 217), and wool soiled cloth (EMPA 107) are used in the study. Both EMPA 217 and 107 have water contact angle($\Theta$)>$90^{\circ}$, which indicates that water spreading over a fabric surface and penetration into the fabric rarely occur. However, EMPA 217 and 107 are easily wetted with perchloroethylene(PCE) having very low values of $\Theta$'s and high values of liquid retention. Water wetting properties are greatly improved by adding nonionic surfactants into the system. Generally, hydrophilic surfactants which have low number of carbon atoms or unsaturated hydrophobic structures are effective in improving water wetting of wool fabrics. The water retention of EMPA 217 and 107 in surfactant solutions have positive relations with $cos{\Theta}$, adhesion tension, and work of adhesion. 40.3% pore volume of EMPA 217 and 26.1% pore volume of EMPA 217 can be filled with water even when we assume $cos{\Theta}=1$ (${\Theta}=0^{\circ}$).

비이온계 계면활성제 수용액에서 모직물의 표면적심과 액체보유력 향상