The aim of the present work was the surface modification of cotton and polyester fibers to confer hydro and oil
repellency to the fabrics. Sol–gel, previously investigated by the same authors as textile finishing, was here
chosen as surface treatment not involving the bulk of the fibers, so fabrics can keep unvaried comfort characteristics.
Moreover, it was coupled to post-UV-curing to enhance the finishing adhesion to fibers, improving
treatment fastness. Process optimization was in fact focused on an economical and ecofriendly process to obtain
an effective finishing with good fastness to washing. 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MEMO) was used
as sol–gel precursor both alone and with Fluorolink® S10, a commercial product from Solvay Solexis (Italy), to
obtain an UV-curable modified nanosol to be applied to fabrics with add-ons ranging from 5% to 30% o.w.f.
(on weight of fibers). Treated samples were tested by means of contact angle measurements with water and
oil while fastness to washing was tested according to ISO standard (till 5 washing cycles). Moreover the
modifications that occurred on fiber surface were investigated by FTIR–ATR and XPS while the influence on
thermal properties was revealed by DSC measurements. Promising results were obtained in terms of conferred
water and oil repellency and treatment fastness, enhanced in particular on UV post-cured samples, as expected