Surface and Friction Behavior of a Silicone Surfactant Adsorbed on Model Textiles Substrates

Abstract

This study reports on interactions of an amphiphilic block copolymer of polyalkylene oxide-modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) with thin films of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon, as well as with reference hydrophilic silica surfaces. The dynamics of adsorption, adsorbed mass, and viscoelasticity of the adsorbed layer are quantified by using a quartz crystal microbalance, while boundary layer lubrication behaviors are studied by using lateral force microscopy. Driven by hydrophobic interactions, the silicone surfactant adsorbs following a Langmuir isotherm and forms strongly adsorbed layers on the polymer surfaces with an areal mass directly related to the hydrophobicity of the substrate. The self-assembled silicone surfactant molecules improve significantly wettability and lower friction. The results reported herein will broaden our understanding of lubrication phenomena in textile and fiber processing applications.