Abstract
The far-infrared ray (FIR) is one kind of electromagnetic wave employed for numerous bio-interactive applications such as body thermoregulation, infrared therapy, etc. Tuning the FIR-emitting property of the functional textile surface can initiate a new horizon to utilize this property in sportswear or even smart textiles. Ceramic particles were studied for their unique ability to constantly emit FIR rays. The purpose of this research is to characterize the FIR emission properties and the thermogravimetric analysis of ceramic-embedded polyurethane films. For this purpose, ceramic particles such as aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide were incorporated (individually) with water-based polyurethane (WPU) binder by a sonication technique to make a thin layer of film. Significant improvement in FIR emissive property of the films was found when using different ceramic particles into the polyurethane films. Reflection and transmission at the FIR range were measured with a gold integrating sphere by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The samples were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Different physical tests, such as tensile strength and contact angle measurements, were performed to illustrate the mechanical properties of the films. The study suggested that the mechanical properties of the polyurethane films were significantly influenced by the addition of ceramic particles.
Highlights
Polyurethane (PU) has been effectively used as a coating material due to its unique properties of corrosion resistance, microbial resistance, and durability against wear and weathering [1,2]
Three different ceramic particles were individually incorporated with a water-based polyurethane binder to independently investigate their far-infrared ray (FIR) emissive properties
Ceramic particles were initially dispersed to water using the probe-sonication technique for one hour and the waterbased polyurethane binder was slowly added to the mixture
Summary
Polyurethane (PU) has been effectively used as a coating material due to its unique properties of corrosion resistance, microbial resistance, and durability against wear and weathering [1,2]. Water-based polyurethane (WPU) binders are the composed of low or non-volatile organic compounds, and they are widely used as coating materials since they are environmentally friendly and non-toxic [5,6]. PU coatings are often hygroscopic, which causes permeation of aggressive ions such as oxygen and chloride; long exposure in ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes photochemical degradation of PU, which makes the coating yellowish. Both of this process gradually causes PU disintegration which affects its mechanical and optical properties [7,8]. Several studies suggest that the addition of inorganic particles (such as cerium oxide, titania, and zinc oxide) may improve the chemical and mechanical resistance of the PU (hybrid) coatings [9,10,11,12,13]
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