Provided is a surface treatment agent which does not use fluorine-containing monomers, particularly fluoroalkyl group-containing monomers. The surface treatment agent is a water-based emulsion which includes: a copolymer (1) which includes a first polymer formed from first monomers, and a second polymer formed from second monomers, wherein the second polymer is polymerized in the presence of the first polymer, the first monomers include a long-chain acrylate ester monomer (a) represented by the formula CH.sub.2═CA.sup.11—C(═O)—O-A.sup.12 (in the formula, A.sup.11 represents hydrogen, a monovalent organic group, or a halogen, and A.sup.12 represents a C.sub.18-30 straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon group), the first monomers do not include a halogenated olefin monomer (b), and the second monomers include the halogenated olefin monomer (b); a surfactant (2) including a nonionic surfactant; and a liquid medium (3) including water.

A water- and oil-repellent agent including: (a) a fluorine-containing monomer represented by the general formula CH.sub.2C(X)C(O)YZRf [where X is a hydrogen atom, a monovalent organic group, or a halogen atom, Y is O or13 NH, Z is a direct bond or a divalent organic group, and Rf is a fluoroalkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms]; and (b) a fluorine-containing copolymer containing a repeating unit derived from nonyl(meth)acrylate. Also disclosed is a textile product including a fibrous substrate treated with the water- and oil-repellent agent.

A silicone-(meth) acrylate copolymer (copolymer) and methods for its preparation are provided. The copolymer may be prepared by emulsion polymerization or via other means. An emulsion formulation containing the copolymer is suitable for treating a textile.

Provided is a surface treatment agent which does not use fluorine-containing monomers, particularly fluoroalkyl group-containing monomers. The surface treatment agent is a water-based emulsion which includes: a copolymer (1) which includes a first polymer formed from first monomers, and a second polymer formed from second monomers, wherein the second polymer is polymerized in the presence of the first polymer, the first monomers include a long-chain acrylate ester monomer (a) represented by the formula CH.sub.2CA.sup.11-C(O)O-A.sup.12 (in the formula, A.sup.11 represents hydrogen, a monovalent organic group, or a halogen, and A.sup.12 represents a C.sub.18-30 straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon group), the first monomers do not include a halogenated olefin monomer (b), and the second monomers include the halogenated olefin monomer (b); a surfactant (2) including a nonionic surfactant; and a liquid medium (3) including water.

A textile having high fluorine adhesion rate, and excellent water- and oil-repellency can be obtained by a method of producing a treated textile, comprising steps of: (1) preparing a treatment liquid comprising a water- and oil-repellent agent which comprises at least one fluorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing polymer or a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the treatment liquid comprises a thermally gelling substance.

A textile having high fluorine adhesion rate, and excellent water- and oil-repellency can be obtained by a method of producing a treated textile, comprising steps of: (1) preparing a treatment liquid comprising a water- and oil-repellent agent which comprises at least one fluorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing polymer or a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the treatment liquid comprises a thermally gelling substance.

Disclosed is a nonwoven fabric formed from (i) a nonwoven fabric substrate and (ii) a fluorine-containing polymer adhering to the nonwoven fabric substrate, wherein the fluorine-containing polymer contains:

(a) repeating units formed from a fluorine-containing monomer which is alpha-chloro acrylate or alpha-chloro acrylamide containing a fluoroalkyl group, and
(b) repeating units formed from a halogenated olefin monomer, and
the fluorine-containing polymer is free from repeating units formed from a (meth)acrylate containing a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having at least 18 carbon atoms.

An apparatus and method is presented for the management of fluid flow utilizing different adjacent wettability regions to form a fluidic network structure on a substrate. The fluidic network structure may include liquid-absorptive fluidic channels, where the fluid can flow within these channels and be removed from the substrate. Fluid can be moved by gravitational force, compression force, capillary force and surface tension force.

A liquid substance includes a film-forming agent; and functional particles, and has a viscosity of 1 Pa.Math.s to 100 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 0.1 (1/s); and a viscosity of 1 mPa.Math.s to 100 mPa.Math.s at a shear rate of 1,000 (1/s). The liquid substance may include a thickener including at least one of a resin, a carbon nanotube, a cellulose nanofiber; or a layered clay mineral.

A liquid substance includes a film-forming agent; and functional particles, and has a viscosity of 1 Pa.Math.s to 100 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 0.1 (1/s); and a viscosity of 1 mPa.Math.s to 100 mPa.Math.s at a shear rate of 1,000 (1/s). The liquid substance may include a thickener including at least one of a resin, a carbon nanotube, a cellulose nanofiber; or a layered clay mineral.