Natural Biopolymer-Based Microcapsules as Sustainable Agents for Hydrophobic Textiles

This study presents the development of hydrophobic coatings for textile applications using natural biopolymers. Natural polysaccharides and waxes in the form of microcapsules were incorporated into a polysaccharide matrix to produce a microcapsule-based coating. Several coating formulations were prepared, incorporating varying concentrations of microcapsules and crosslinking agent (including versions without crosslinker) and subsequently applied to cotton and polyester fabrics using the rod-coating process. The coated fabrics were analyzed in order to evaluate the improvement in hydrophobicity and possible changes in physical properties, while the initial washing stability of the coating was analyzed by determining resistance to one domestic washing cycle. The coating increased the water contact angle from a highly hydrophilic to hydrophobic state (above 120°). After washing, the samples largely retained their hydrophobic properties, with some of them still exceeding a water contact angle (WCA) of 120°. The findings indicate that natural biopolymer microcapsule-based coatings, even without crosslinker, can effectively impart stable hydrophobic properties to textiles, thereby offering a safer alternative to conventional coatings containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).