Hydrophobic finish of tussah silk fabric by grafting fatty alcohol using lipase enzymatic catalysis

The fatty alcohol was grafted onto the carboxyl group of the tussah silk fabric by lipase enzymatic catalysis in order to improve the hydrophobicity of the fabric.The results showed that the longer the hydrocarbon chain of the fatty alcohol,the higher the grafting percentage and the lower the mole grafting rate;the grafting percentage of n-octadecyl alcohol is up to 19.8%;higher the grade of the fatty alcohol,the greater the water contact angle of the tussah silk fabric;and the higher the spray rating,the better the hydrophobicity;and the water contact angle increased from 55.8° to 128.3°,and the spray rating increased from 0 to 3.The graft modified tussah silk fabric has slightly improved air permeability and good washing durability,and keeps good hydrophobic property after 20 washing cycles.