Hydrophobic and thermal behaviour of nylon 6 nanofibre web deposited on cotton fabric through electrospinning

A nylon 6 nanofibre web was deposited on the surface of cotton fabrics using the electrospinning process. The prepared nylon 6 nanofibre‐modified cotton fabric showed remarkable hydrophobic and flame‐retardant properties. The morphology of nylon 6 nanofibres was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the surface topography of electrospun nanofibre was characterised using atomic force microscopy. The cross‐sectional view of the layered fabric morphology was observed through high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy. The hydrophobicity of the coated fabric was determined through static water contact angle measurement (132.2° for a 10 µl droplet). The flame‐retardant properties of the nylon 6 nanofibre‐modified cotton fabric and the uncoated cotton fabric were resolved with an inclined (45°) flame‐retardant testing machine. Results showed that nylon 6 nanofibre is of a superhydrophobic nature with enhanced flame‐retardant properties to cotton fabrics. This work opens up a new possibility for the development of polymer coating on cotton fabrics using the highly reliable electrospinning process.