Controlling the wettability properties of polyester fibers using grafted functional nanomaterials

A simple method for controlling the wettability properties of poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) fibers is reported herein. Silica nanoparticles (silica NPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated on PET fibers altered both the surface roughness and the surface energy of the fibers and endowed the PET fibers with opposite wettability properties. The morphology, composition and wettability of silica NPs and MWCNTs coated PET fibers are detected by a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements and the wet environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) technique. The possible mechanism and size effect of functional nanomaterials on the wettability property of PET fibers are also discussed.