Construction of hydrated lubricated interfaces on lyocell fabric surfaces and effects on anti-fibrillation performance

Lyocell fibers are currently claimed as green fibers with good application prospects, but the major problem of fibrillation restricts further promotion and application. In this study, based on the theory of hydration lubrication at the solid/liquid interface, hexamethylene-diisocyanate trimer (HDIt), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and butanone oxime (MEKO) were used to synthesize a reactive hydrophilic triblock polyurethane (RHT-PU). RHT-PU could construct a water lubrication layer on the lyocell fiber surface via H-bonding between polyoxyethylene ether and water molecules, reducing the coefficient of friction (CoF) of the fiber interface in the water. It was found that PEG molecular weight and grafting density had significant effects on the CoF of modified fabrics, with CoFs decreased with increased PEG molecular weight and grafting density. In water, the CoFs of fabrics modified by RHT-PU were reduced from 0.45 to 0.32 and maintained lower CoFs at higher temperature and higher normal loads. After mechanical friction and household washing tests, the surface abrasion of modified fabrics were significantly improved and color fading grade of fabrics raised from 3 grade to 4–5 grade. Construction of water-lubricated interfaces effectively reduced fibrillation.