Sustainable anti-fibrillation and multifunction enhancement of lyocell fabric via electrostatic adsorption and discontinuous membrane formation

Lyocell is a type of regenerated cellulose fiber with an eco-friendly production process and desirable properties. However, it is susceptible to fibrillation, which often results in pilling and diminished color appearance after laundering. Conventional anti-fibrillation methods are plagued by drawbacks such as significant strength loss, low utilization rates, formaldehyde release, and yellowing. To overcome these challenges, we developed an innovative approach involving the treatment of lyocell fibers with a cationic modifier (CM), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), followed by the application of anionic polyacrylic acid emulsions (AEs). The effects of AE concentration, curing temperature, and curing time on anti-fibrillation performance were systematically evaluated. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses, we demonstrated that the anionic latex was effectively adsorbed onto the CM-treated fiber surface via electrostatic interactions. Upon curing, a discontinuous film formed on the fiber surface, which hindered water penetration and enhanced lateral cohesion between microfibrils under wet conditions. As a result, the modified fabrics exhibited markedly improved anti-fibrillation performance without compromising mechanical properties or whiteness. Furthermore, the air permeability of wet fabrics increased by 46.4%, and dyeing properties and glossiness were markedly enhanced. The results also indicate that this treatment has good abrasion resistance and durability. This study introduces a sustainable strategy for achieving multifunctional performance and green dyeability in cellulose textiles, thereby expanding their potential applications.