Photochromic properties of color‐matching, double‐shelled microcapsules covalently bonded onto cotton fabric and applications to outdoor clothing

In this research, we aimed to apply color-matching, double-shelled microcapsules to deal with outdoor-clothing sunscreen-indicator identifications on cotton fabrics with a covalent-bonding coating method; this method allows one to display both the UV intensity and a warning. The color-property characteristics of color-matching-double-shelled-photochromic-microcapsule–treated patterns on cotton fabrics under various sunshine irradiation intensities are very close to those of inkjet-printing color-gradation patterns, which indicate sunshine irradiation intensities. Color-matching, double-shelled microcapsules were obtained by the addition of red double-shelled microcapsules into yellow double-shelled microcapsules. We increased the weight ratio of the red microcapsules and added blue double-shelled microcapsules into the red double-shelled microcapsules when the weight ratio of blue microcapsules was increased. Color-matching, double-shelled photochromic microcapsules, whose yellow/red/blue weight ratios were 5.6/0/0, 4.8/0.8/0, 2.4/3.2/0, and 0.8/4.8/0–0/0/5.6, presented distinct color-property characteristic changes under various irradiation intensities and presented a good color identification; a rather dark, bright color; and good laundering durability of covalent bonding on cotton fabrics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44698.