Creating a smart textile via the self-assembly of responsive polymer particles on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers

A novel method is presented for the construction of a hierarchical microstructure/nanostructure via the chemical self-assembly of poly( N -isopropyl acrylamide- co -acrylic acid) particles on polyester fibers. The textile of the particle-bound fibers possessed smart wettability and an oil-absorbing capacity. The wettability was dependent on the initial contact angle and spreading time of water droplets on the particle-bound textile, which could be controlled with the content of acrylic acid inserted into the polymer chains. The wettability of the particle-bound textile was responsive to the pH value. In addition, the textile was superoleophilic on an air–solid surface and could absorb oil quickly from water. The oil-absorbing capacity could be controlled by the alteration of the pH value. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46834.