Portuguese scientists have found a way to improve fragrance-containing microcapsule technology for use in fabrics. Microcapsules are used in scenting not just fabrics, but ink for scratch-and-sniff applications and other printed fragrance implementations. Researchers have been seeking ways to extend the fragrance-giving life of the microcapsules for use in fabric, which generally undergoes plenty of torture by things like washing machines, electric dryers, or drycleaning processes.
In this Portuguese study, the scientists found that using polyurethane-urea as the encapsulating compound prolonged fragrance production and durability. The study involved infusing a wool-polyester blend fabric with capsules of limonene (the scent of lemon). The fabric was then subjected to a series of dry cleaning cycles and other tortures.
The fabric lost 24% of its limonene after one round of dry cleaning, 57% after three dry cleaning cycles, and 95% after five dry cleaning cycles. It also lost up to 60% of the scent after being run through an abrasion machine.
Links:
- Fibre2Fashion
- Science Daily
- “Microencapsulation of Limonene for Textile Application,” from Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, July 2, 2008
image courtesty Fibre2Fashion
