Advanced Textiles Research Articles

Fabrication and characterization of a novel superhydrophobic cotton fabric with integrated 3D graphene-Ag/TiO2 aerogel for superior antibacterial performance, oil-water separation, and enhanced durability

This research delineates the pioneering development of a superhydrophobic cotton textile, ingeniously integrated with a three-dimensional graphene-Ag/TiO2 aerogel. The study meticulously details the fabrication process, structural characterization, and diverse industrial applications of this advanced textile. The fabric demonstrates exceptional hydrophobicity, evidenced by a water contact angle (WCA) of 161.8°. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) substantiate the micromorphological and chemical alterations of the cotton surface, highlighting the successful reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and incorporation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), TiO2, and Ag nanoparticles. The fabric’s antibacterial efficacy is rigorously established, boasting an impressive antibacterial rate that surpasses 99.99 % against E. coli and S. aureus. Additionally, the fabric demonstrates its capability to discern between oil and water with remarkable finesse, showcasing a separation efficiency that exceeds 98 %, even under extreme chemical conditions. The textile also exhibits excellent self-cleaning, washing, and chemical durability, alongside robust antistatic properties. Despite a marginal decrease in air permeability relative to raw cotton, the fabric’s multifunctional capabilities significantly compensate for this trade-off. The unique three-dimensional architecture of the hybrid graphene-Ag/TiO2 aerogel (AT-HGA) modified cotton marks a substantial advancement in bio-based material science, with broad potential applications in functional garments, medical textiles, and various industrial sectors.

Microstructured Reflective Coatings on Commodity Textiles for Passive Personal Cooling.

As the effects of climate change become more severe and widespread, maintaining personal thermal homeostasis becomes necessary for survival. In principle, advanced textiles and garments have the ability to leverage light absorption, transmission and/or reflection, in addition to straightforward convection, to heat or cool bodies in extreme temperature conditions. For cooling, in particular, surfaces adept at selectively reflecting or refracting high-energy incident light (200 nm-2.5 mm) from the sun while transmitting or emitting infrared light (8-13 mm) from radiant body heat boast the ability to maintain cooler body temperatures, even when exposed to direct sunlight and the open sky. Here, we present a strategy to transform common clothing into implements for passive personal cooling. As confirmed by Mie scattering calculations, cheap and biocompatible calcium carbonate and barium sulfate micro/nanoparticles are found to serve as suitable reflectors for radiative cooling. Finite-difference time domain simulations reveal, surprisingly, that higher reflectance is achieved with surface coatings containing these materials, as compared to extruded metamaterial fibers containing CaCO3 and BaSO4 particles embedded within a polymer matrix. A stepwise process involving photoinitiated chemical vapor deposition and ion-exchange driven crystal growth is used to create a lamellar composite coating comprised of alternating CaCO3 and BaSO4 nano/microparticle layers directly on the surface of common fabrics. A polyester poplin fabric coated in this manner shows a cooling ability of up to 8 °C compared to an uncoated sample, achieving a maximum cooling of 6 °C below ambient temperature. Wash and durability testing of the lamellar coating reveal no mechanical degradation and no evident attenuation in the material's performance, affirming its resilience and long-term effectiveness as a functional textile coating for personal cooling. We also assess the performance of our coated fabrics in multiple outdoor environments to conclude that we can achieve up to 3.4 °C of sub-ambient cooling in optically complex built environments.

Mechanically Robust and Biodegradable Electrospun Membranes Made from Bioderived Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Polylactic Acid.

Petroleum-based plastic waste plagues the natural environment, but plastics solve many high-performance solutions across industries. For example, porous polymer membranes are used for air filtration, advanced textiles, energy, and biomedical applications. Sustainable and biodegradable Bioplastic membranes can compete with nonrenewable materials in strength, durability, and functionality but biodegrade under select conditions after disposal. Membranes electrospun using a blend of bioderived thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polylactic acid (PLA) perform effectively under tensile and cyclic loading, act adequately as an air filter media, and biodegrade in a home-compost environment, with the aliphatic formulation of TPU showing greater biodegradability compared to the formulation containing aromatic moieties. Blending TPU with PLA dramatically increases the strain at break of the PLA membrane, while the addition of PLA in TPU stiffens the material considerably. Measurements of the pressure drop and filtration efficiency deem this electrospun membrane an effective air filter. This membrane provides a solution to the need for quality air filtration while decreasing the dependence on petroleum feedstocks and addressing the issue of plastic disposal through biodegradation.

Novel thermal-regulation and temperature-responsive controlled-release fibermats with porous sheath-core structures

Active regulation of the wound microenvironment as well as on-demand drug delivery have proven to be effective ways to accelerate wound healing, and the development of advanced textiles offers feasibility. A novel fibermat with thermal-regulation and temperature-responsive controlled-release properties was fabricated by using coaxial electrospinning, consisting of porous sheath-core polylactic acid (PLA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) fibers. The pore generation in the PLA shell of the PLA/PEG fiber was achieved through a phase separation method. The fiber diameter and pore size of the obtained fiber could be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of shell solution during electrospinning. Increasing the flow rate of shell solution form 0.8 mm min−1 to 1.4 mm min−1 resulted in an increase in fiber diameter from 4.8 μm to 15.3 μm, and an increase in pore size from 59.4 nm to 305.6 nm. Due to the high enthalpy and coverage of the PEG core, the PLA/PEG fibermats exhibited excellent thermal-regulation performance, with a surface temperature that was 2.5 °C–5.6 °C lower than that of pure PLA fibermat during heating process. On-demand release was achieved by directly controlling the core layer of the coaxial PLA/PEG fiber through temperature. The hydrophobicity of the PLA shell initially reduced burst release, followed by increased release as the temperature reached the phase transition temperature of PEG. Furthermore, this advanced fibermat demonstrated desirable moisture permeability, appropriate mechanical properties and good thermal stability, indicating broad potential applications in medical and health fields.

Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Regenerated Cellulose through High-Temperature Pre-Gelation

This paper investigates the effects of pre-gelation on cellulose dissolved in LiCl/DMAc solutions to enhance the properties of regenerated cellulose materials. This study focuses on characterizing the crystallinity, molecular orientation, and mechanical performance of cellulose fibers and hydrogels prepared with and without pre-gelation treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that crystallinity improvement from 55% in untreated fibers to 59% in fibers pre-gelled for 3 and 7 days, indicating a more ordered arrangement of cellulose chains post-regeneration. Additionally, XRD patterns show improved chain alignment in pre-gelled fibers, as indicated by reduced full width at half the maximum of Azimuthal scans. Mechanical testing demonstrates a 30% increase in tensile strength and a doubling of the compression modulus for pre-gelled fibers compared to untreated fibers. These findings underscore the role of pre-gelation in optimizing cellulose material properties for applications ranging from advanced textiles to biomaterials and sustainable packaging. Future research directions include further exploration of the structural and functional benefits of pre-gelation in cellulose processing and its broader implications in material science and engineering.

Temperature-regulating functional PET composite fabric based on paraffin@silicon dioxide microencapsulated phase change materials

A novel kind of thermoregulatory composite fabric was prepared in this work. Firstly, paraffin@silicon dioxide (Pn@SiO2) microencapsulated phase change microcapsules (MEPCM) were synthesized by sol-gel method with paraffin as the core and silica dioxide as the shell. The spherical MEPCM with a particle size distribution of 6–12 μm exhibited a smooth surface. The heat storage capacity of MEPCM was tested by DSC, showing the phase change enthalpy of 137.3 J/g. Then, MEPCM was coated onto PET textile fabric, and the effect of different content of MEPCM on the temperature regulation performance of the finishing fabric was discussed. MEPCM on the surface morphology, thermal regulating properties, and thermal effects of the fabric were investigated by SEM, DSC, TG, infrared thermography, and photo thermal experiment. The highest enthalpy of the composite fabric after finishing by MEPCM could reach 49.18 J/g, and the infrared thermography showed that the rate of temperature change of the composite fabric was significantly slowed down during the warming and cooling process, which had the ideal heat storage and temperature regulation function. Phase change composite fabric shows great potential in a wide range of applications, such as military firefighting, personal protection, and temperature-controllable advanced textiles.

Recent Advances in Electrochromic Devices: From Multicolor to Flexible Applications

With increasing demand for energy saving and environmental sustainability, electrochromic devices (ECDs) are considered as emerging display devices with low energy consumption. While various reflective‐type displays produce images with low energy, achieving full color displays often involves much device complexity and nonflexibility. Multicolor ECDs aim to realize full color reflective‐type displays, surpassing the current monochromic type or limited coloration capabilities in a 1D color space. Enhancing device flexibility is also highly desirable for use of ECDs in wearable and flexible electronics for health monitoring and advanced textiles with easy visualization. In this review, recent advances in multicolor and flexible ECDs are examined. Several primary strategies to achieve multicolor ECD are described, including material modifications, color overlay, and dye‐mediated colorations. In addition, recent developments in flexible ECDs are explored, emphasizing novel materials and fabrication processes that improve mechanical durability and reliability under deformation. It is expected that this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of multicolor and flexible ECDs for applications in smart windows, displays, and wearable electronics.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of a novel pH-responsive azo dye incorporating a 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring for advanced textile applications

This study presents the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a novel azo dye derived from 2-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) phenol (1a). The synthesis was initiated by reacting salicylic acid with thiosemicarbazide in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3), yielding an 89 % conversion to compound 1a. The subsequent diazotization and coupling of 1a under alkaline conditions led to the formation of the azo dye (1b). Structural elucidation was confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The incorporation of the 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring is significant due to its known influence on enhancing dye stability, reactivity, and potential biological activities, while the salicylic acid moiety contributes to the dye's pH responsiveness. A notable pH-dependent color transition from yellow (pH < 6.0) to red (pH > 8.0) was observed, driven by protonation-induced resonance changes. Computational studies, including Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO) analysis, revealed a Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO)-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) gap of 1.94 eV, indicating efficient electronic transitions critical for its color properties. Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) and Fukui function analyses provided further insights into the dye's reactivity and potential applications. The dyeing properties were rigorously assessed through K/S values, CIELAB color space, and fastness properties on cotton fabric, demonstrating varied color depths and hues influenced by different mordants, with copper and manganese significantly enhancing color intensity. Colorfastness tests revealed good to fair durability, with untreated fabrics showing optimal performance. This thorough characterization underscores the promising potential of this newly synthesized azo dye for applications in pH-responsive textiles and functional materials, highlighting its relevance for advanced textile and material science applications.

Ultra‐Low Grammage Nanocellulose‐Coated Woven Fabric with Improved Aerosol Particulate Filtration Performance

AbstractDeveloping advanced textiles and fabrics that offer protection against aerosolised chemical and biological hazards is of tremendous interest and is indispensable to the safety of the military personnel. Unfortunately, the extensive protection offered by protective clothing is often accompanied by a reduction in moisture vapour permeability, which increases physiological burden on the user (i.e., transport of sweat away from the body). This study shows that an enhancement in aerosol particulate filtration of a woven textile fabric can be achieved without impeding its water vapour transmission rate through the application of an ultra‐low grammage nanocellulose coating using a simple papermaking approach. Aerosol particulate filtration is realised in the nanocellulose coating through a size‐exclusion mechanism and the filtration efficiency doubled even at a nanocellulose grammage of 0.25 g m−2. As nanocellulose is hygroscopic, water vapour transmission rate remained unchanged compared to the uncoated woven fabric, regardless of the types of nanocellulose coating applied. The work also reports the mechanical robustness of the nanocellulose network fabricated, which is typically the concern in low‐grammage nanofibrous coating.

A Review of the Electrical Conductivity Test Methods for Conductive Fabrics

With the substantial growth of the smart textiles market, electrical properties are becoming a basic requirement for most of the advanced textiles used in the development of wearable solutions and other textile-based smart applications. Depending on the textile substrate, the test method to determine the electrical properties can be different. Unlike smart fibers and yarns, the characterization of the electrical properties of fabrics cannot be tested between two connection points because the result would not represent the behavior of the entire fabric, so the electrical properties must be related to an area. The parameters used to characterize the electrical properties of the fabrics include resistance, resistivity, and conductivity. Although all of them can be used to indicate electrical performance, there are significant differences between them and different methods available for their determination, whose suitability will depend on the function and the textile substrate. This paper revises the main parameters used to characterize the electrical properties of conductive fabrics and summarizes the most common methods used to test them. It also discusses the suitability of each method according to several intervening factors, such as the type of conductive fabric (intrinsically or extrinsically conductive), its conductivity range, other fabric parameters, or the final intended application. For intrinsically conductive woven fabrics, all the methods are suitable, but depending on the requirements of conductivity accuracy, the contact resistance from the measuring system should be determined. For intrinsically conductive knitted fabrics, two-point probe, Van der Pauw, and eddy current methods are the most suitable. And for intrinsically conductive nonwoven fabrics, two-point probe and four-point probe methods are the most appropriate. In the case of extrinsically conductive fabrics, the applied method should depend on the substrate and the properties of the conductive layer.

Spinning the Future: The Convergence of Nanofiber Technologies and Yarn Fabrication.

The rapid advancement in nanofiber technologies has revolutionized the domain of yarn materials, marking a significant leap in textile technology. This review dissects the nexus between cutting-edge nanofiber technologies and yarn manufacturing, aiming to illuminate the pathway toward engineering advanced textiles with unparalleled functionality. It first discusses the fundamentals of nanofiber assemblies and spinning techniques, primarily focusing on electrospinning, centrifugal spinning, and blow spinning. Additionally, the study delves into integrating nanofiber spinning technologies with traditional and modern yarn fabrication principles, elucidating the design principles that underlie the creation of yarns incorporating nanofibers. Twisting technologies are explored to examine how they can be optimized and adapted for incorporating nanofibers, thus enabling the production of innovative nanofiber-based yarns. Special attention is given to scalable strategies like centrifugal and blow spinning, which are spotlighted for their efficiency and scalability in fabricating nanofiber yarns. This review further analyses recently developed nanofiber yarn applications, including wearable sensors, biomedical devices, moisture management textiles, and energy harvesting and storage devices. We finally present a forward-looking perspective to address unresolved issues in nanofiber-based yarn technologies.

Textile advancements in civil engineering

This article explores the transformative impact of advancements in textile materials on sustainable development in civil engineering. Incorporating bast fibres like flax and hemp, along with innovative hybrid systems, has led to more robust, lighter, and cost-effective solutions for reinforcement. Geotextiles, developed from these textiles, are crucial in protecting against natural disasters and climate change impacts. Sustainable development is further supported by using natural fibre-reinforced composites, promoting economic growth in regions with abundant fibre resources. Integrating cutting-edge textiles in civil engineering projects offers enhanced structural strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. Additionally, the article highlights the role of textile technology in paving the way for green engineering solutions, addressing climate change impacts, and providing eco-friendly alternatives in construction. This article also emphasizes the future of building with eco-friendly reinforcement solutions, focusing on the benefits of textile reinforcement over traditional steel. Incorporating fabric sensors in advanced textiles enables real-time structural health monitoring, facilitating proactive maintenance and repairs. The potential of textiles to revolutionize infrastructure is discussed, emphasizing their contribution to a sustainable future for the construction industry. Next-generation textile materials are explored, showcasing their impact on structural integrity, sustainability, and economic development. The article concludes by underscoring the promising role of textile materials in addressing modern engineering challenges and fostering a more resilient, environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial approach to construction.

Combination of bio-based tannic acid, sophora flower extract and metal salts: A facile route towards improving durable flame retardancy and UV resistance of silk fabrics

Environmental engineering placed green demands on the functional modification of textiles. Here, the combination of bio-based tannic acid, sophora flower extract and metal salts was used to manufacture silk fabrics with flame retardancy and UV resistance via a facile impregnation strategy. With different metal salts treated, the modified silk fabrics named silk/TA/SFE-TE, silk/TA/SFE-Fe and silk/TA/SFE-Cu achieved self-extinguishing in the vertical burning test, with limiting oxygen index values of 31.7 ± 0.4 %, 30.2 ± 0.2 % and 30.9 ± 0.3 %, respectively. In the cone calorimetry test, the peak heat release rate values of the three silk fabrics modified with metal salts were all significantly suppressed, and the total smoke production values of silk/TA/SFE-TE and silk/TA/SFE-Fe were reduced from the original 0.178 m2 to 0.126 m2 and 0.138 m2, respectively. Furthermore, silk/TA/SFE-TE, silk/TA/SFE-Fe and silk/TA/SFE-Cu displayed high ultraviolet protection factor values and thus had good UV resistance, owing to the presence of tannic acid and sophora flower extract. Most importantly, the flame retardancy and UV resistance of the three silk fabrics modified with metal salts were still superior to those of the original silk fabrics after 30 washing cycles. In short, this facile route for the preparation of functionalized silk fabrics provides a novel idea for the development of advanced textiles.

Rock-climbing apparel: an analysis of current clothing options and future strategies for the design of rock-climbing clothing

ABSTRACT This paper identifies and analyses current clothing options available to rock climbers in New Zealand, drawing from data collected via a survey of experienced climbers, relevant literature and a detailed design analysis of garments that are currently on the market. The study considers some of the limitations of current rock-climbing clothing and identifies issues that need to be taken into account to design more practical, responsive, sustainable clothing options for climbers. Drawing on professional design expertise in patternmaking, material selection and garment construction, this analysis is used to inform the development of more appropriate and innovative garment design strategies for rock-climbing. It also recognises the potential for novel development by employing innovations from the field of advanced textiles and apparel, in particular the integration of smart sensing technologies into garments.

Nanofibrous membranes with hydrophobic and thermoregulatory functions fabricated by coaxial electrospinning

AbstractIn the face of changing outdoor environments, it is necessary for us to develop advanced textiles with thermal regulation and hydrophobic properties. In order to create a fabric with both temperature control and waterproof properties, the study adjusted the ratio of polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to produce nanofiber membranes with excellent morphology and dirt resistant properties. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity of the nanofibers was further improved by adding SiO2 to the spinning solution. Based on this, a core solution of octadecane (Oct) was used to give it thermal regulation functionality through coaxial electrospinning technique. The resulting composite nanofiber membrane exhibited excellent hydrophobicity and thermal regulation performance. The measurement results obtained from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) indicate that the maximum Oct encapsulation rate of the PS/PVDF/SiO2@Oct nanofiber membrane is 58.36%. The latent heat of the composite nanofiber membrane is 148.84 J/g, and the water contact angle (WCA) is 135°. The multifunctional composite nanofiber has great potential for applications in outdoor protective clothing and outdoor electronic device protection.

Super-amphiphobic arabic gum-based coatings on textile for on-demand oily and dye wastewater treatment

Different membrane materials have broadly been constructed for oil-containing water separation, but most of preparation routes involve corrosive or toxic chemicals and especially many materials have only single superwetting property. Herein, a novel and eco-friendly cellulose-based textile membrane is developed by incorporating the composite coating consisting of arabic gum (AG), attapulgite (APT), and iron (Fe) onto cellulose textiles. The functionalized textile is superoleophobic underwater and superhydrophobic underoil. As a result, the textile prewetted with water or oil can be employed to separate light oil layer/water and heavy oil layer/water mixtures, respectively, and the separation efficiency to the two types of mixtures is larger than 98.3 %. Results also reveal that the decorated textile possesses superior stability and recyclability in purifying oily wastewater. More importantly, such coated textile is capable of filtrating water-soluble contaminants (dyes) from polluted water. Due to the versatility and environmental compatibility of product as well as the accessibility as agricultural and forestry product as raw materials, the advanced textiles may offer effective solutions to oily wastewater purification and water-soluble contaminant removal.

Thermochromic smart window utilizing passive radiative cooling for Self-Adaptive thermoregulation

Being a major impediment, the development of advanced smart windows with exceptional thermoregulation in both the visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) and the long-wave infrared remains a significant aspiration to scholars. Herein, an innovative strategy was implemented to achieve self-adaptive smart window that seamlessly integrates the thermochromic and radiative cooling technologies (TRSW), and holds great potential in effectively addressing the intricate thermal radiation requirements arising from unpredictable climatic conditions. The TRSW demonstrated an impressive capacity to regulate solar energy through automatic modulation of emissivity (ε) at both high (εLWIR-H = 0.68) and low (εLWIR-L = 0.35) temperatures, while effectively maintaining Vis-NIR regulation (20.12%). Moreover, the results of TRSW’s outdoor performance exhibited its efficiency in implementing dual solar energy transmission modes, effectively inhibiting the Vis-NIR transmission to mitigate solar overheating in high-temperature conditions, while diminishing heat dissipation and promoting radiative cooling in low-temperature situations. Compared to conventional cooling materials, the dynamic emissivity modulation of TRSW provided an effective approach to prevent overcooling at lower temperatures. Consequently, TRSW fostered an efficient synergy between the solar transmittance modulation (ΔTsol) and Δε, which led to heightened modulation of the entire spectrum and facilitated exceptional thermal management. This work paves an intriguing prospect of developing advanced smart windows with remarkable thermoregulation and promises a wide range of thermal regulation applications, such as windows, roofs, walls, and advanced textiles.

Advanced and Smart Textiles during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues, Challenges, and Innovations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely affected the textile and apparel industry. Besides the negative impact due to supply chain disruptions, drop in demand, liquidity problems, and overstocking, this pandemic was found to be a window of opportunity since it accelerated the ongoing digitalization trends and the use of functional materials in the textile industry. This review paper covers the development of smart and advanced textiles that emerged as a response to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. We extensively cover the advancements in developing smart textiles that enable monitoring and sensing through electrospun nanofibers and nanogenerators. Additionally, we focus on improving medical textiles mainly through enhanced antiviral capabilities, which play a crucial role in pandemic prevention, protection, and control. We summarize the challenges that arise from personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal and finally give an overview of new smart textile-based products that emerged in the markets related to the control and spread reduction of SARS-CoV-2.

Recent Advances in Thermoregulatory Clothing: Materials, Mechanisms, and Perspectives.

Personal thermal management (PTM) is a promising approach for maintaining the thermal comfort zone of the human body while minimizing the energy consumption of indoor buildings. Recent studies have reported the development of numerous advanced textiles that enable PTM systems to regulate body temperature and are comfortable to wear. Herein, recent advancements in thermoregulatory clothing for PTM are discussed. These advances in thermoregulatory clothing have focused on enhancing the control of heat dissipation between the skin and the localized environment. We primarily summarize research on advanced clothing that controls the heat dissipation pathways of the human body, such as radiation- and conductance-controlled clothing. Furthermore, adaptive clothing such as dual-mode textiles, which can regulate the microclimate of the human body, as well as responsive textiles that address both thermal performance (warming and/or cooling) and wearability are discussed. Finally, we include a discussion on significant challenges and perspectives in this field, including large-scale production, smart textiles, bioinspired clothing, and AI-assisted clothing. This comprehensive review aims to further the development of sustainably manufactured advanced clothing with superior thermal performance and outstanding wearability for PTM in practical applications.

Soft, stretchable optical fibers via thermal drawing

Optical fibers that can sustain large elastic deformations are promising building blocks in soft robotics, medical and wearable devices, and advanced textiles. Thus far, however, the fabrication methods developed for soft optical fibers have remained unmatured. Here, we present thermal drawing as a materials and processing platform to fabricate 10s of meters-long soft, multi-material optical fibers with intriguing architectures. It offers unprecedented opportunities to realize step-index soft optical fibers, as well as photonic crystal fibers for transmission, reflection, and sensing.