Zinc and Alginate for Multipurpose Textiles
Marija Gorenšek, Vili Bukošek
Department of Textiles,
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Snežniška
5, SI-1000 Ljubljana,
E-mail: marija.gorensek@ ntf.uni-lj.si
Absrtract
The paper presents the possibility of applying zinc solutions on
cotton fabrics. In a two-stage procedure a fabric is first impregnated with ZnCl2
and then with alginate. The presence of zinc on impregnated samples is proved
quantitatively and qualitatively. Absorption of water, overall flexural rigidity
and UV transmittance of impregnated fabrics are measured and the UV protection
factor (UPF) calculated. It has been stated that the absorption of water of the
fabrics impregnated with ZnCl2 depends on the concentration of ZnCl2;
the same applies to the combination of ZnCl2 with alginate. An
overall flexural rigidity of fabrics increases after impregnation with 0,5M, 1M
and 3M solution of ZnCl2; it increases even more after application of
ZnCl2 and alginate. Although the UPF of the fabrics improves after
impregnation with ZnCl2, it does not achieve good UV protection as
per the AS/NZS 4399: 1996 standard; good UV protection can be achieved on
fabrics dyed with a phthalocyanine dyestuff. By applying ZnCl2 in
combination with alginates on dyed fabrics, we can obtain differently absorbent
materials which provide UV protection and have anti-microbial properties.