Effect of ethanol on in-situ deposition of nano calcium carbonate on cotton fibers

Abstract

In this study, a method was employed to treat cotton fabrics with a mixed calcium hydroxide/ethanol/water solution system following the introduction of carbon dioxide, facilitating the in-situ deposition of nano calcium carbonate (NCC) on the cotton fibers. The findings revealed that the NCC particles formed on the fibers exhibit a diamond-shaped cubic morphology, characteristic of the calcite crystal type, with dimensions ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers. The addition of ethanol contributes to the formation of NCC, with a maximum increase of about 2 times in calcium element content. The breaking strength of the cotton fabric was notably enhanced after deposition, with the addition of ethanol resulting in an approximate 8–10 % increase in breaking strength, much higher than that of sample without ethanol (∼ 4.2 %). The deposition modification did not significantly alter the chemical or crystalline structure of the cotton fibers. Additionally, the crystallization index of the fibers was improved to a certain degree, without compromising their hydrophilicity, thus not affecting subsequent dyeing and finishing processes. This has introduced a novel avenue for researchers to investigate and enhance the physical and mechanical properties of cotton fiber materials, which is beneficial for expanding their application fields.