Oleophobic textiles with embedded liquid and vapor hazard detection using differential planar microwave resonators

Abstract

Protective clothing must repel hazardous liquids such as oils, acids, and solvents, which often exhibit low surface tension. The low surface tension liquid repellency of textiles is currently characterized qualitatively, considering only the first thirty seconds of wetting. This study demonstrates that embedded sensors within protective fabrics can more fully characterize liquid repellency while simultaneously detecting the hazardous substance. The liquid repellency of oleophobic textiles was detected in-situ using differential planar microwave resonator structures. A differential split ring resonator was designed with resonant responses at 4.4 and 4.6 GHz with a sensitivity of 50 MHz per unit ε. Fabrics were rendered oleophobic by dip-coating. The liquid repellency was monitored in-situ using droplets of heptane, octane, decane, dodecane, and water. Wetting transitions and droplet evaporation were identified in real time. The 4.4 GHz resonance peak’s shift was used to measure the liquid repellency, whereas the 4.6 GHz resonator monitored the liquid’s vapor as it absorbed into a gas-sensitive elastomer. The microwave response was tracked over 10 h every 15 s, and this transient data could identify the liquids based on their wetting and evaporation rates. Such sensors could be readily embedded in oleophobic textiles and enhance personal protective equipment.