Polydopamine-assisted load of palygorskite on polyester fabric for moisture absorption and perspiration

Polyester (PET) fabric is one of the most daily used clothing fabrics; however, the perspiration management of PET is poor. There remains a lack of an effective method for simultaneously satisfying the fabric requirements of excellent moisture management properties, low energy consumption, and environmental protection for industrial production. Therefore, herein, a simple two-step impregnation method was used to prepare palygorskite (Pal)-coated PET fabric. First, dopamine was polymerized to the polydopamine (PDA) membrane on the PET fabric surface to improve its adhesive properties. Subsequently, Pal was bound onto the PDA-modified PET fabric to prepare the Pal/PDA/PET fabric. The modification increased the fabric`s the hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, moisture absorption, light-to-heat conversion performance, evaporation rate, and tensile strength. Additionally, the Pal with several hydroxyl groups increased the number of hydrogen bonds, enhancing water adsorption. The high-water evaporation rate was due to the high light-to-heat conversion by PDA and the low evaporation enthalpy of the Pal/PDA/PET fabric. Thus, the Pal/PDA/PET with excellent perspiration management can be potentially used in flash-drying clothing. Furthermore, the fabric modification by mineral provides a green and cost-effective method for improving the moisture absorption and perspiration of fabrics.