BACKGROUND
Microplastic pollution from synthetic textiles during laundering is a growing environmental concern. Polyester fabrics, widely used in outdoor and performance apparel, shed microplastic fibers (MPFs) when washed, contributing significantly to aquatic microplastic contamination. Traditional surface treatments for reducing fiber shedding often rely on solvent-based formulations or fluorinated compounds, which pose environmental and health risks. Recent advances in omniphobic coatings have demonstrated the potential of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) brushes to reduce liquid fouling and fiber release. However, these coatings have typically been limited to smooth substrates like silicon wafers and glass, and often require complex fabrication methods or toxic reagents. A need exists for a scalable, environmentally friendly, and substrate-independent method to apply PDMS coatings to textiles that effectively reduces MPF release while maintaining water repellency.
TECHNOLOGY
Prof. Kevin Golovin has developed a novel, solvent-free method for applying PDMS brush coatings to polyester textiles using a waterborne formulation. The process involves synthesizing PDMS brushes from dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMDS) in water, catalyzed by iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate (Fe(OTs)₃), which enables the formation of high molecular weight PDMS chains. A polyester-specific primer based on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) is first applied to the fabric to enhance bonding. The PDMS solution is then spray-coated and thermally cured in multiple layers. Compared to conventional acid-catalyzed methods, the iron-catalyzed waterborne formulation yields thicker PDMS brushes with superior water repellency and significantly reduced microplastic shedding during laundering.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
- Significant Reduction in Microplastic Release:
- 79% reduction in MPFs by count
- 86% reduction in MPFs by mass after five laundering cycles
- Enhanced Coating Thickness and Molecular Weight:
- PDMS brush thickness: 3.18 ± 0.14 nm (Fe catalyst) vs. 1.52 ± 0.23 nm (HCl catalyst)
- Estimated molecular weight: 9922 ± 437 g/mol vs. 4743 ± 718 g/mol
- Superior Water Repellency:
- Contact angles on fabric: 148° ± 2° (Fe catalyst) vs. 145° ± 3° (HCl catalyst)
- Environmentally Friendly:
- Solvent-free formulation using water as the medium
- Avoids fluorinated compounds
- Scalable and Substrate-Independent:
- Applicable to textiles and other surfaces like silicon wafers
APPLICATIONS
- Performance and outdoor apparel
- Home textiles (e.g., upholstery, curtains)
- Industrial fabrics requiring water repellency
- Environmental protection technologies targeting microplastic pollution
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STATUS
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US Application (US2025145835A1, Nov 2023 priority)
PROJECT STATUS
The technology has been validated through laboratory-scale experiments, including coating deposition, contact angle measurements, and microplastic release quantification. The formulation remains stable for up to 2 hours post-synthesis, and the coating process is compatible with existing textile treatment workflows.
KEYWORDS
microplastic reduction, non-shedding textiles, hydrophobic coatings, waterborne coating, polyester fabric, solvent-free, textile treatment, environmental sustainability, omniphobic surface
