TECHNOLOGY OF OBTAINING ECO-FRIENDLY WATER-REPELLENT TREATMENTS FROM PLANT EXTRACTS

Аннотация

The growing environmental concerns associated with fluorinated and petroleum-derived hydrophobic finishing agents have intensified research into sustainable alternatives for textile and material surface protection. Conventional water-repellent treatments, particularly fluorocarbon-based finishes, demonstrate excellent repellency but are increasingly restricted because of persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation of perfluorinated compounds in ecosystems. In response, plant-derived hydrophobic compounds have emerged as promising renewable raw materials for the development of eco-friendly water-repellent systems. These bio-based treatments utilize naturally occurring waxes, fatty acids, terpenoids, polyphenols, and other hydrophobic phytochemicals extracted from botanical sources to generate protective coatings with reduced environmental impact. Recent studies show that natural waxes from rosemary, bark residues, and conifer biomass can produce water contact angles above 120°, while herb-based coatings can approach superhydrophobic behavior under optimized deposition conditions.

This article presents a detailed technological framework for obtaining eco-friendly water-repellent finishes from plant extracts, including extraction methodology, chemical modification, formulation strategies, substrate application, and physicochemical characterization. Particular attention is given to the interaction between plant-derived hydrophobic molecules and textile substrates, as well as to current limitations regarding durability, wash resistance, and industrial scalability.