The hydrophilic finishing of wool fabric via mTGase‐catalyzed grafting of ε‐PLL

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to derive a new method for the hydrophilic finishing of wool fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

A new biological catalyst, microbial transglutaminase (mTGase), was used to catalyze the grafting of ε‐poly‐L‐lysine (ε‐PLL) onto the wool fabric.

Findings

The K/S value, SEM morphology and DSC analysis proved that the grafting reaction occurred. The hydrophilic properties of the ε‐PLL‐grafted wool fabrics were studied. The results showed that the grafted ε‐PLL could increase the hydrophilicity, which was demonstrated in terms of the obvious shortening in the wetting time and the process of water absorption and moisture absorption. The grafted wool also achieved better antistatic property.

Research limitations/implications

Future work could be focused on the application of this biological method on other protein fabric which was designed to change the performance.

Originality/value

The biological approach is safe, eco‐friendly and effective relative to the conventional methods.

Citation

Li, X., Wang, Q., Sun, X., Fan, X. and Han, X. (2012), "The hydrophilic finishing of wool fabric via mTGase‐catalyzed grafting of ε‐PLL", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 24 No. 5, pp. 317-327. https://doi.org/10.1108/09556221211258975