Methyl-Enriched Siloxane-co-Acrylate Fluorine-Free Finishing Agent Enables Durable Antisoiling on Polyester Fabrics

A high-methyl-density siloxane-co-acrylate copolymer was successfully synthesized via aqueous emulsion polymerization as a durable, fluorine-free antisoiling finishing agent. By employing a molecular design strategy that utilizes vinyltrisiloxane (VTS) and 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (M3T) to create a methyl-rich surface, along with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as a cross-linker, the resulting emulsion imparted exceptional superhydrophobicity to the polyester fabric, achieving a water contact angle (WCA) of 159.7° and a sliding angle (SA) of 5.9°. The finished fabric exhibited remarkable durability, maintaining WCAs of 151.6° (SA of 11.4°) after 25 washing cycles and 127.7° (SA of 19.3°) after 100 abrasion tests, alongside excellent self-cleaning properties and resistance to both aqueous and oily stains. The finishing agent also demonstrated uniform particle size, high stability under acidic/alkaline conditions, and thermal tolerance up to 180 °C. This work, based on a simple and eco-friendly process, presents a highly promising and sustainable alternative to fluorinated coatings for industrial textile applications.