Overview

• Taylor Kanipe and colleagues from North Carolina State University presented preliminary findings at the ACS Fall 2025 meeting on using epoxidized cottonseed oil (ECSO) to finish cotton fabrics.
• Epoxide groups in ECSO bond to cellulose and crosslink into a hydrophobic coating, producing strong water repellency measured at a 125° contact angle.
• Infrared spectroscopy confirmed chemical attachment of ECSO to the fabric surface, and high‑speed imaging quantified droplet behavior for water repellency.
• The work targets a bio‑based alternative to formaldehyde resins and PFAS coatings, which face health, safety and environmental concerns.
• The team characterizes the results as early‑stage, with durability, wrinkle resistance and tear strength testing ahead; an abstract also describes stable oil‑in‑water ECSO emulsions applied by pad‑dry‑cure for evaluation.