Photo-grafting polymerization, microstructure and hydrophilicity of spun-blown polypropylene nonwoven fabrics

The non-polarity and poor hygroscopicity of polypropylene (PP) impede its wide application. The polar monomers, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methacrylamido propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC) were grafted onto the spun-blown polypropylene nonwoven fabric (SMS) under ultraviolet irradiation, and the subsequent functionalization of the grafted fabrics was implemented as well. The results show that both the monomer and the polymer of HEMA are hydrophilic and are grafted uniformly onto the fabric surface as well as into the melt-blown layer with the hydrophilicity being enhanced slightly, whereas the hydrophilic monomer yet the hydrophobic polymer of MAPTAC prefer to be grafted onto the melt-blown fibre with the wicking effect. Both the monomer and the polymer of GMA are hydrophobic and are favourably grafted into the meltblown layer with no hydrophilicity being improved. The grafting diminishes the fibre crystallinity and melting temperature, especially significant for the graftings of hydrophobic polymers, PGMA and PMAPTAC. All the grafting reduces the water flux of the grafted fabrics no matter what the grafting polymers are hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity not.