Synthesis of microencapsulated benzyl benzoate with a CaCO3 shell and its application to the durable anti-mite finishing of nylon 6 fabric

Abstract

Microcapsules based on the benzyl benzoate core and CaCO₃ shell were synthesized via an interfacial co-precipitation method and used to treat nylon 6 fabric to impart anti-mite activity. The results of FTIR, SEM and upright metallurgical microscopy confirmed that the benzyl benzoate was successfully encapsulated by the CaCO₃ shell. The morphologies, particle size distribution, encapsulation ratio and encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules were investigated systematically. The nylon 6 fabric was treated with the resultant microcapsules via a finishing process and the microcapsules were immobilized on the surface of the nylon 6 fabric with chemical bonds, by using a blocked waterborne PU adhesive. The morphology of the treated fabric was investigated by SEM and the benzyl benzoate content determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The mite repellent tests showed that the treated nylon 6 fabric exhibited excellent anti-mite properties and laundering durability, and the mite repellent rate was up to 82.3% and remained at 61.8% after being washed 20 times.