Reduction and deposition of graphene oxide nanosheets on the multifunctional hydrophobic polyester nonwoven fabric via a one-step hydrothermal route

The low content of polarity groups on hydrophobic fibers could exclude water molecules and hinder the further application in the surface modification of fibers. Therefore, the stable interfacial interaction between function materials and hydrophobic fibers substrate is the key challenge to endow functions. Herein, graphene oxide was employed to modify the surface of polyester non-woven fabrics (PNW) and then reduced graphene-modified polyester nonwoven fabric (rGO-PNW) was achieved via a one-step hydrothermal method with 'reducing agent free'. The washability, hydrophobic property, electrical conductivity, thermal response and sensing performance of the obtained samples were investigated, especially, the obtained rGO-PNW exhibited excellent low electrical resistivity 52.6 Ω/m. What's more, after 10 times of washing treatment, the resistivity change of the as-prepared rGO-PNW was much smaller than that of traditional dip-coating route, indicating a much stable interface was established between graphene layer and the hydrophobic polyester fiber under the hydrothermal condition. In addition, the water contact angle of rGO-PNW increased to 160.85°, far above that of PNW (47.42°), also, the rGO induced significant improvement in the thermal response of rGO-PNW in comparison with that of the PNW. Moreover, the rGO-PNW exhibited high sensitivity (S = 11.5 kPa−1) and repeatability in response to compression deformation. The one-step hydrothermal method could realize a better surface modification of hydrophobic fibers, and it could be an new route for the hydrophobic fabric modification.