Preparation of Cross‐Linked Fluoro‐Silicone Modified Polyacrylate Latex and Its Application in Wash‐Free Hot‐Melt Dyeing for Polyester Fabrics With Liquid Disperse Dyes

ABSTRACT Wash‐free dyeing can significantly reduce water and energy consumption as well as wastewater discharge during the dyeing process, which demonstrates the characteristics of clean production in dyeing. In order to achieve wash‐free hot‐melt dyeing of polyester fabric with liquid disperse dye, a cross‐linked fluoro‐silicone modified polyacrylate latex (MviPDMS‐HPFA) was synthesized via miniemulsion polymerization using MMA, 2‐EHA, 3FMA, and cross‐linkable MviPDMS. The resulting latex exhibited excellent stability with small particle sizes (120–140 nm) and low zeta potential (< −40 mV). Characterization revealed a concentration gradient of fluoro‐silicone elements increasing from the film interior to the exterior. The film displayed a low glass transition temperature ( = −7.6°C) and strong hydrophobicity (contact angle: 103.2°; water absorption: 5.21%). The MviPDMS‐HPFA latex was subsequently applied to the wash‐free hot‐melt dyeing of polyester with liquid disperse dyes. Compared to weakly cross‐linked, non‐cross‐linked, and conventional hot‐melt processes, the MviPDMS‐HPFA system achieved a superior K / S value of 16.442. Color fastness to dry and wet rubbing reached grades 4–5 and 4, respectively. These results indicated that introducing 3FMA and MviPDMS as co‐modifiers into polyacrylate emulsions effectively improved the dye uptake, rubbing fastness, and dyeing uniformity of the treated fabrics, thereby enabling wash‐free hot‐melt dyeing with liquid disperse dyes.