Silica-Based Core-Shell Nanocapsules: A Facile Route to Functional Textile

In this work, we present a surfactant-free miniemulsion approach to obtain silica-based core-shell nanocapsules with a phase change material (PCM) core via in-situ hydrolytic polycondensation of precursor hyperbranched polyethoxysiloxanes (PEOS) as silica shells. The obtained silica-based core-shell nanocapsules (PCM@SiO2), with diameters of ~400 nm and silica shells of ~14 nm, reached the maximum core content of 65%. The silica shell had basically no significant influence on the phase change behavior of PCM, and the PCM@SiO2 exhibited a high enthalpy of melt and crystallization of 123–126 J/g. The functional textile with PCM@SiO2 has been proposed with thermoregulation and acclimatization, ultraviolet (UV) resistance and improved mechanical properties. The thermal property tests have shown that the functional textile had good thermal stability. The functional textile, with a PCM@SiO2 concentration of 30%, was promising, with enthalpies of melting and crystallization of 27.7 J/g and 27.8 J/g, and UV resistance of 77.85. The thermoregulation and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value could be maintained after washing 10 times, which demonstrated that the functional textile had durability. With good thermoregulation and UV resistance, the multi-functional textile shows good prospects for applications in thermal comfort and as protective and energy-saving textile.

Evaluation of Color Properties of Wool Fabrics Dyed with Calligonum comosum at Different Dye Conditions

In this search, the wool fabric was dyed with a natural dye Calligonum comosum (Callig. Co. dye); the dyeing process was applied under different conditions by changing dye bath temperature, time of dyeing, and pH of dye bath also using different mordants. Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) was determined for each dyed wool sample. The role of these dying conditions on the via color strength analysis their effects on the reflectance spectra were investigated using the spectro-photometer tool, CIE tristimulus values, and the color parameters. The dye-ability strength and fastness to washing and perspiration properties of these wool samples dyed with (Callig. Co. dye) were carried out spectrophotometrically and evaluated the antimicrobial activity for blank and dyed wool fabrics via gram-positive and gram-negative was followed. The results showed that dyeing wool fabrics with (Callig. Co. dye) increased their protective abilities markedly, and they have effective protection against UV rays, also improving their antimicrobial activity. Moreover, Different conditions of the dye bath changed the optical properties noticeably. The present study will be useful for dermatologists advising patients regarding the UPF properties of clothes made from natural fabrics (wool) and dyed with natural colorants (Callig. Co. dye).

Biogenic silver nano sol–loaded spunlace fabric for wound dressing; mechanical and functional characterization

The biogenic silver nano sol (AgNS) is most suitable for biomedical applications due to its inherent properties. In the present investigation polyester (P), viscose (V) and polyester/viscose blend (50:50) (PV) spunlaced fabrics were coated with AgNS prepared using organic honey, manuka honey. The dip-coated fabric samples were found suitable for wound dressing purposes when evaluated layered wise for their mechanical properties. The layer-wise dispersion behavior of the V sample was found better than the P/V and P samples. In the case of the air permeability sample, P/V performed better compared to V and P samples. Water sorption ability of P/V and V are found suitable for wound dressing. The ultraviolet protection factor value of treated fabric found excellent when coated with only honey. Further, the AgNS loaded fabric exhibited good resistance against microbial organisms as revealed by the bromophenol blue stain.

Improving the ultraviolet protection factor of textiles through mechanical surface modification using calendering

The textile modification technique of calendering was used to change the cover factor of wearable textiles in order to improve the ultraviolet protection factor and decrease the amount of ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the fabric. Using optical microscopy and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, the quantifiable changes that occurred after repeated passes through the calender were measured. It was found that after one pass the uncovered area decreased by a factor of two and the ultraviolet protection factor increased by 200%. The thickness and air permeability of treated fabric decreased with repeated calendering. The bending stiffness remained nearly unchanged, and thus the mechanical properties were not altered substantially by the fabric compression.

The Influence of Iron Ions on Optical Brighteners and Their Application to Cotton Fabrics

The influence of iron ions at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 g/L on optical brighteners of the groups stilbene and biphenyl in solution and on cotton fabric was investigated. Both groups of optical brighteners are intended for detergent formulations. The influence of iron ions was studied by absorption and fluorescence spectra in solution and by whiteness degree, identifying color differences using CIEL*a*b* coordinates and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of cotton fabrics. The obtained results in solutions and cotton fabrics showed different behavior of optical brighteners stilbene and biphenyl in the presence of iron. Stilbene compounds with metal ions produced new species capable of absorbing in the UV-B region of the spectrum. A biphenyl compound in combination with iron had no effect on the absorption properties. Both optical brighteners were influenced by iron ions in the sense of fluorescence quenching. The influence of iron ions in single- and two-bath treatments of cotton fabrics after one cycle on whiteness degree and UPF was negligible.

Titanium Dioxide and Its Applications in Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, and Biomedical Fields

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), owing to its non-toxicity, chemical stability, and low cost, is one of the most valuable ceramic materials. TiO2 derived coatings not only act like a ceramic protective shield for the metallic substrate but also provide cathodic protection to the metals against the corrosive solution under Ultraviolet (UV) illumination. Being biocompatible, TiO2 coatings are widely used as an implant material. The acid treatment of TiO2 promotes the attachment of cells and bone tissue integration with the implant. In this chapter, the applications of TiO2 as a corrosion inhibitor and bioactive material are briefly discussed. The semiconducting nature and high refractive index of TiO2 conferred UV shielding properties, allowing it to absorb or reflect UV rays. Several studies showed that a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) was achieved by incorporating TiO2 in the sunscreens (to protect the human skin) and textile fibers (to minimize its photochemical degradation). The rutile phase of TiO2 offers high whiteness, and opacity owing to its tendency to scatter light. These properties enable TiO2 to be used as a pigment a brief review of which is also addressed in this chapter. Since TiO2 exhibits high hardness and fracture toughness, the wear rate of composite is considerably reduced by adding TiO2. On interacting with gases like hydrogen at elevated temperatures, the electrical resistance of TiO2 changes to some different value. The change in resistance can be utilized in detecting various gases that enables TiO2 to be used as a gas sensor for monitoring different gases. This chapter attempts to provide a comprehensive review of applications of TiO2 as an anti-corrosion, wear-resistant material in the mechanical field, a UV absorber, pigment in the optical sector, a bioactive material in the biomedical field, and a gas sensor in the electrical domain.

New class of magenta dyestuffs based on azomethine pyrazolone disperse dyes: Synthesis, characterization, and dyeing performance on polyester fabrics with ultraviolet protection and pH-dependent properties

Eight azomethine pyrazolone magenta dyes with iminodiethanol groups have been synthesized from 1,3-disubstituted- 1H-pyrazol-5( 4H)-ones in good yield. The newly synthesized dyes were characterized using spectroscopic data and elemental analyses techniques. All dyes have been successfully applied to polyester fabrics as disperse dyes where their dyeing performances have been discussed and evaluated in detail. The shades of these dyes ranged from red violet, purple and dark purple colors with good depth, brightness and good leveling properties. Multifunctional properties such as color representation, colorimetric data (L*, a*, b*, C*, h*, K/S), fastness properties of the dyed samples with respect to washing, perspiration, rubbing and light fastness have been discussed and evaluated in detail. The degree of exhaustion and fixation was also achieved after establishing the optimal dyeing conditions at 130°C, high pressure, 2% shade, and pH ≈5. As well, the influence of the dye bath pH on the K/S percentage and color intensity was estimated and discussed. Furthermore, the dyed fabrics were tested for ultraviolet protection factor and the results showed that these dyes gave excellent ultraviolet protection.

Functionalization of cotton fabric with ZnO nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibrils for ultraviolet protection

A simple impregnation method was employed to obtain functional cotton fabric based on a zinc oxide (ZnO) and cellulose nanocomposite. The cellulose nanofibril suspension was utilized to reduce the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and bind them to the surface of the fiber. Scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to confirm the presence of ZnO NPs on the surface of the fiber. The treated cotton fabrics exhibited high ultraviolet protection factor values, which were still higher than 50 even after 30 standard washing cycles. Furthermore, the treated samples showed a modest antibacterial effect due to the presence of ZnO NPs. Meanwhile, the treated cotton fabrics showed a decrease (less than 30%) in air permeability.

Physical Properties, Chemical Analysis, and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Response of New Polylactide/Alginate/Copper Composite Materials

In recent years, due to an expansion of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, there has been growing interest in biodegradable and antibacterial polymers that can be used in selected biomedical applications. The present work describes the synthesis of antimicrobial polylactide-copper alginate (PLA–ALG–Cu2+) composite fibers and their characterization. The composites were prepared by immersing PLA fibers in aqueous solution of sodium alginate, followed by ionic cross-linking of alginate chains within the polylactide fibers with Cu(II) ions to yield PLA–ALG–Cu2+ composite fibers. The composites, so prepared, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/VIS transmittance and attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy ATR-FTIR, and by determination of their specific surface area (SSA), total/average pore volumes (through application of the 5-point Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET)), and ability to block UV radiation (determination of the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of samples). The composites were also subjected to in vitro antimicrobial activity evaluation tests against colonies of Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria and antifungal susceptibility tests against Aspergillus niger and Chaetomium globosum fungal mold species. All the results obtained in this work showed that the obtained composites were promising materials to be used as an antimicrobial wound dressing.

Antimicrobial Activity and Barrier Properties against UV Radiation of Alkaline and Enzymatically Treated Linen Woven Fabrics Coated with Inorganic Hybrid Material

One of the directions of development in the textiles industry is the search for new technologies for producing modern multifunctional products. New solutions are sought to obtain materials that will protect humans against the harmful effects of the environment, including such factors as the activity of microorganisms and UV radiation. Products made of natural cellulose fibers are often used. In the case of this type of material, it is very important to perform appropriate pretreatment before subsequent technological processes. This treatment has the aim of removing impurities from the surface of the fibers, which results in the improvement of sorption properties and adhesion, leading directly to the better penetration of dyes and chemical modifiers into the structure of the materials. In this work, linen fabrics were subjected to a new, innovative treatment being a combination of bio-pretreatment using laccase from Cerrena unicolor and modification with CuO-SiO2 hybrid oxide microparticles by a dip-coating method. To compare the effect of alkaline or enzymatic pretreatment on the microstructure of the linen woven fabrics, SEM analysis was performed. The new textile products obtained after this combined process exhibit very good antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, significant antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, as well as very good UV protection properties (ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) > 40). These innovative materials can be used especially for clothing or outdoor textiles for which resistance to microorganisms is required, as well as to protect people who are exposed to long-term, harmful effects of UV radiation.