Adsorption of cationic nanospheres on cotton fibers: the effect of emulsifiers used in the cationic emulsion polymerization

Cationic p(St-co-BA) nanospheres were prepared and their adsorption on cotton fibers was carried out. The effect of Gemini emulsifier ethanediyl bis(hexadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide) (G16-2-16) on the colloidal features and adsorption properties of the cationic nanospheres was investigated. To get a clear understanding, the corresponding single-chain emulsifier hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was used as a comparison. Colloidal features, such as particle size and surface charge density, and adsorption properties, such as adsorption rate, were measured. G16-2-16 produced cationic p(St-co-BA) nanospheres with bigger particle size, better monodispersity, and higher surface charge density than CTAB. Compared with CTAB, G16-2-16 resulted in higher adsorption rate and more uniform arrangement of nanospheres at the cotton fiber surface.