A Facile Approach of Fabricating Electrically Conductive Knitted Fabrics Using Graphene Oxide and Textile-Based Waste Material

This research investigated a feasible approach to fabricating electrically conductive knitted fabrics using previously wet-spun wool/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite fibre. In the production of the composite fibre, waste wool fibres and PAN were used, whereby both the control PAN (100% PAN) and wool/PAN composite fibres (25% wool) were knitted into fabrics. The knitted fabrics were coated with graphene oxide (GO) using the brushing and drying technique and then chemically reduced using hydrazine to introduce the electrical conductivity. The morphological study showed the presence of GO sheets wrinkles on the coated fabrics and their absence on reduced fabrics, which supports successful coating and a reduction of GO. This was further confirmed by the colour change properties of the fabrics. The colour strength (K/S) of the reduced control PAN and wool/PAN fabrics increased by ~410% and ~270%, and the lightness (L*) decreased ~65% and ~71%, respectively, compared to their pristine fabrics. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the presence and absence of the GO functional groups along with the PAN and amide groups in the GO-coated and reduced fabrics. Similarly, the X-ray diffraction analysis exhibited a typical 2θ peak at 10⁰ that represents the existence of GO, which was demolished after the reduction process. Moreover, the wool/PAN/reduced GO knitted fabrics showed higher electrical conductivity (~1.67 S/cm) compared to the control PAN/reduced GO knitted fabrics (~0.35 S/cm). This study shows the potential of fabricating electrically conductive fabrics using waste wool fibres and graphene that can be used in different application fields.

Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Behaviour of Natural Fibre Sandwich Panels with Posidonia Core

In this work, the mechanical behaviour of natural composite fibre sandwich panels is experimentally investigated. The composite sandwich panels are composed of a natural core made of Posidonia dried leaves reinforced with aluminium skins. The introduced material system is characterized by good structural behaviour (due to the aluminium skins) combined with the good thermal and acoustical insulation provided by the Posidonia core. Flexural and impact tests, characterized by different impact energies, have been performed on specimens with and without the aluminium skins, to preliminary assess the influence of the Posidonia core densities on the natural fibre sandwich mechanical behaviour.

Study of Blended Waste Organic Extracts in Wastewater Treatment

In present work, water treatment processes is carried out by an affordable, readily usable and non-chemical method. This study involved the process of water may reduce the concentration of particulate matter that includes suspended particles, micro organisms, a range of dissolved and particulate material derived from the surfaces. The substances used in this work were coarsely blended with each other and a special composite fibre filter was made. Several processes variables of quality of waste are also measured before and after the treatment. Results show that the water quality has been enriched in several ways such as reduction in the dissolved solids, pH has been controlled, deodorization and prevention of microbial growth. Hence use of this work has been utilized as a “Homemaker Model” and act as an alternative method for wastewater treatment in a cost effective way.