Fluoropolymer-Free Treated Polyamide Fiber Inspires Hydrophobic, Chemically Durable Liquid Removal and Self-Cleaning Performance 


Vol. 26,  No. 12, pp. 5405-5419, Dec.  2025
10.1007/s12221-025-01203-9


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  Abstract

Amid growing environmental concerns and tightening regulations on hazardous fluorochemicals, fluorine-free waterproofing agents have emerged as sustainable alternatives to conventional fluorinated systems (e.g., C6, C8). This study comprehensively evaluates the performance of modern non-fluorinated agents-polyurethane-based (Zelan R3, TF-5015) and acrylic-based (NR-7565, DM-3696) formulations-against traditional fluorinated counterparts on nylon textiles. Results demonstrate that fluorine-free agents achieve a water repellency rating of 5 grades at 15 g/L application concentration, whereas fluorinated systems require only 6 g/L to attain equivalent hydrophobicity. However, polyurethane-based fluorine-free agents exhibit exceptional durability, outperforming both acrylic-based and fluorinated systems under extreme conditions: water contact angle (WCA) reductions remain minimal (5°–10°) after exposure to strong acid (pH 1), alkali (pH 13), and boiling water immersion. These systems also display superior wash fastness, with a marginal 0.5-grade decline in water repellency after 30 laundering cycles, and moderate abrasion resistance (WCA reduction ≤ 14 after 1600 Martindale cycles). Furthermore, fluorine-free treatments confer enhanced anti-fouling and self-cleaning functionality, effectively repelling dyes and common liquid contaminants while retaining performance post-treatment. The advancements are attributed to optimized molecular architectures, such as branched polyurethane chains, which enhance crosslinking density and hydrophobic stability without fluorinated components. This work confirms that contemporary fluorine-free agents can rival or surpass fluorinated counterparts in durability, multifunctionality, and environmental safety, albeit with slightly higher application demands for hydrophobicity. The findings underscore the feasibility of transitioning to eco-friendly waterproofing technologies without compromising industrial performance, offering critical insights for developing sustainable textiles aligned with circular economy principles and global regulatory trends. Future efforts should focus on refining application efficiency to bridge the performance-concentration gap while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

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  Cite this article

[IEEE Style]

S. Gao, L. Pei, L. Yan, X. Gu, Q. Hu, J. Wang, "Fluoropolymer-Free Treated Polyamide Fiber Inspires Hydrophobic, Chemically Durable Liquid Removal and Self-Cleaning Performance," Fibers and Polymers, vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 5405-5419, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s12221-025-01203-9.

[ACM Style]

Shaokun Gao, Liujun Pei, Limin Yan, Xiaomin Gu, Qiushuang Hu, and Jiping Wang. 2025. Fluoropolymer-Free Treated Polyamide Fiber Inspires Hydrophobic, Chemically Durable Liquid Removal and Self-Cleaning Performance. Fibers and Polymers, 26, 12, (2025), 5405-5419. DOI: 10.1007/s12221-025-01203-9.

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