Cloth Research Articles

Phyco-biosynthesis of Chlorella-CuO-NPs and its Immobilization on Polyester/Cotton Blended Textile Waste Activated by Cellulase Enzymes for Application as Wastewater Disinfection Filter

Phyco-biosynthesis of Chlorella-CuO-NPs and its Immobilization on Polyester/Cotton Blended Textile Waste Activated by Cellulase Enzymes for Application as Wastewater Disinfection Filter

DEVELOPMENT OF NONWOVEN FABRIC USING TEXTILE WASTE AND ITS CHARACTERIZATION

The study was conducted during the year 2021. Textile waste fibers are a significantly byproduct of the fashion and textile industries, stemming from various stages of production, consumption and disposal. These fibers include leftover fabric scraps, trimmings and postconsumer garments that are discarded. With the rise of fast fashion and increased consumption, textile waste has become a pressing environmental concern globally. These waste fibers contribute to landfills, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Finding sustainable solutions for managing and repurposing textile waste fibers is crucial for mitigating their environmental impact and promoting circularity within the textile industry. About 5.8 million tons of textile waste are generated every year whereas only 1.5 million tons of such textiles waste are recycled by industrial and tailoring enterprises. This has led the investigator to select one such waste that could be explored for the present study. Therefore, tailor discards were considered along with Kapok which has good conductivity and also has good insulation for both thermal and acoustic properties because of its hollow nature and light weight. The study was carried out by blending wool and Kapok with three blending ratios of wool 100%, kapok 100% and wool kapok (50:50%) to form nonwoven sheets and the properties of the sheets were investigated.

A data-enhanced approach for early-age drying induced moisture transport analysis on in-situ casted textile fibre reinforced concrete

With the addition of textile fibres that alters pore structure, the novel Textile Fibre Reinforced Concrete (TFRC) exhibits great potential in reducing drying shrinkage and enhancing long-term durability. To advance material design, this study aims at developing a coupled experimental-numerical framework with a data-enhanced approach to identify the essential material properties that govern the moisture transportation in TFRC. The scope of analysis covers the TFRC manufactured with various fibre types and different fibre volumes, where the time-dependent effect associated with early age is investigated. An inverse analysis framework, coupling Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) and extended support vector regression (XSVR), is developed and validated against experimentation by monitoring moisture distribution. Results reveals that the incorporation of textile fibres leads to a substantial reduction in the moisture diffusivity of TFRC, as opposed to conventional concrete of identical w/b and aggregate content. Notably, TFRC mixtures with 0.4 % Nylon twist and PTT600 fibres showed a 95 % reduction in moisture diffusivity compared to the conventional concrete. This discovery illustrates the capability of textile fibres, when optimally introduced, to mitigate moisture loss from cementitious materials, reducing drying shrinkage of concrete building. The proposed approach is demonstrated to be able to robustly quantify the early-age moisture transportation in TFRC, which is of potential to guide future concrete design of using textile fibre reinforcement towards controlling early-age shrinkage in building industry.

EVALUATION OF THE GRAPHENE DISPERSIONS FOR KEVLAR FABRICS FUNCTIONALIZATION OBTAINED BY THE LIQUID-EXFOLIATION OF GRAPHITE

The process where pristine graphite is subjected to a solvent treatment seems simple and scalable and has attracted the attention of researchers over many years. However, for successful exfoliation, overcoming the van der Waals attractions between the adjacent layers of graphite is necessary. Over time, several methods have been created to overcome the attraction between layers. Graphene’s liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) occurs due to the strong interactions between the solvent molecules and the basal planes of graphite, overcoming the energetic resistance to exfoliation and subsequent dispersion. Ultra sonication used for exfoliation can produce single or few layered graphene flakes. During sonication the sound waves propagate through liquid medium in alternating high- and low-pressure cycles, strong mechanical and thermal energy released by acoustic cavitation results in splitting up large particles into fine ones and dispersing them. Simultaneous insertion of solvent and/or intercalation molecules in between the graphite layers takes place supporting graphite separation into graphene layers. ; The dispersion capacity of graphene flakes depends on how appropriate the solvent properties are to the corresponding properties of graphene, such as surface tension, Hildebrand, and Hansen solubility parameters. Only certain solvents can disperse graphene well and form a dispersion appropriate for specific future applications. In addition, after exfoliation by ultra sonication graphene flakes aggregation due to the van der Waals attractions must be overcome to prepare in long-term stable dispersions of nanometres-size graphene sheets. ; The research has focused on the preparation of stable dispersion ready for transfer without intermediate processes to the Kevlar fabrics. An experimental comparison of the potentials of the 4 solvents for the application resulted in three corresponding to the intended use, two of them examined in detail, supplementing the composition of the LPE liquid medium with triethanolamine to obtain sufficient performance graphene coverage on Kevlar textile fibres.

Effect of abrasion level on surface handling and thermal conductivity of blended suit fabrics

The tactile comfort of garments is of great interest for researchers to achieve their performance efficiently. This research aims to study the ability of blended worsted fabrics to be used as men’s suits by checking the thermal conductivity (k) and surface handling properties that are represented in surface roughness deviation (SMD), surface mean friction (MIU), and electrostatic properties before and after abrasion actions. Different levels of weft yarn counts (16 Ne and 24), weft density (19 and 21 per cm) and fabric weave structures (stripped twill 2/2 and stripped satin 4) were used. Abrasion weight loss percentage, thermal conductivity, surface roughness, and friction in warp and weft directions, and electrostatic properties were measured. Results showed that all the fabric factors studied are significant to affect abrasion weight loss percentages, thermal conductivity, and fabric roughness in the weft and warp directions. Fabric friction behavior follows the fabric roughness, but there is a difference between weft direction and warp direction. In addition, the fabrics achieved a reasonable resistance to form static charges after abrasion actions, and the fabric factors studied are not significant to affect the electrostatic properties except for abrasion cycles as P-value equals 0.03.

Thermogravimetry as a tool to evaluate the contribution of different fabric constituents to fibre release

AbstractThis study introduces a methodology to easily estimate the composition of textile fibre mixtures, whether they are arranged in fabrics or fibre bundles, in order to assist the examination of fibre release from textiles, simplifying the process of analysis. The proposed method consists of the deconvolution of DTG signals, and the identification of the constituent associated with each peak. To assess the effectiveness of this method, the study analyses raw textile fibres, both individually and blended in different systems to characterize the thermal degradation of each one and their interaction when mixed. Such analysis of raw fibres is applied to commercial fabrics with known compositions and their released fibres in pilling experiments. The studied fibres are polyester (PET), cotton, wool and acrylic, while the blends encompass the systems PET + cotton, PET + wool, PET + cotton + acrylic. Hence, the method is evaluated. It can be applied to fast identification of textile compositions and can further aid in the identification of fibres in pilling tests.

The dyeing properties of alginate/lyocell blended fabric with reactive dyes

The difficulties in dyeing have significantly limited the application of alginate fibers in the field of textile industry. This study aimed to provide a dyeing method suitable for alginate fibers with reactive dyes. The results showed that alginate fibers could be successfully dyed with Reactive Red 195, Reactive Blue 19, and Reactive Yellow 145. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), and fiber strength were investigated and found that dyed alginate fibers can keep their original structure and physical properties well. Colorfastness was also evaluated, which proved that dyed alginate fibers could maintain their color after soap washing, rubbing, and solarization to some extent. In order to further explore the applicability of the dyeing method, alginate fibers and lyocell were blended at 20/80 ratio to make yarns, knitted into weft plain fabrics, and carried out in the same way. The leveling property of dyed blended fabrics was good, for there was almost no color difference in naked eye observation. The washing and light fastness of blended fabrics were excellent, up to 4–5, while the rubbing fastness was slightly poor due to the fibrination of lyocell possibly. The weight loss rate of alginate fibers was less than 5%, which once again confirmed the dyeing method has less damage to alginate fibers. In addition, tensile strength of dyed blended fabrics was improved. This study can provide a new reference for alginate fiber dyeing.

Working at home. Reconstructing activities within the LBK household through the systemic use-wear analysis of flint industries, bone and antler tools and ground stone implements

The systematic analysis of use-wear traces on flint, ground stone and bone tools, has rarely been carried out at Early Neolithic sites in continental Europe. Hence, it is a powerful means of identifying possible economic differences. As part of the ongoing HOMES project, we are investigating the importance and nature of acquisition strategies (hunting, harvesting), food preparation techniques (butchery, grain milling) and the processing of other resources (plant fibres) in a large set of LBK households in the Aisne Valley (France). After re-examining and integrating new results on the flint industry (366 tools), bone and antler tools (414 tools) and ground stone tools (114 tools), the aim here is to examine whether the processing of soft flint plants, hides and wood remains the dominant activity and how it coexists with more marginal activities such as the processing of soft minerals and textile fibres. The absence of certain activities is scrutinised in relation to their location within and outside the domestic and village space. Discrete functional characteristics are tracked to improve our understanding of the observed differences between the domestic units: segmentation of production processes, differences in the use of each type of raw material, intensity of use. In this way, we can test the hypothesis of autonomous or interdependent households in terms of production and consumption and investigate the economic structure of LBK villagers.

A study of inter-fiber cohesion with quantitative measurement approach for staple fibers

Several qualities influence the processability of textile staple fibers: inter-fiber cohesion being one of the most important properties. Although various methods to measure this property have been explored, there is no consensus on the optimal technique, and existing methods often require specialized machinery. This article introduces and evaluates a straightforward method that utilizes only a carding machine and a tensile tester, both standard equipment in yarn laboratories. The proposed cohesion test method involves preparing carded webs, cutting them into nine rectangles, and then subjecting these samples to tensile testing. The method was initially assessed for repeatability and the normalization of results. Further experiments varied the fiber material (cotton and polyester), fiber organization, direction of fiber hooks, and finishing treatments. Force curves and their gradients were analyzed, alongside video footage, to study inter-fiber interactions during testing. The results demonstrated that the new test method could differentiate between fiber materials, fiber organizations, and quantify the effects from finishing treatments. The cohesion force (CF) of CO fibers was 30 % of that of PES fibers; carding had a greater impact on CO fibers compared to PES fibers, and treatment with lubricant reduced the CF by up to 35 %. However, the weight and dimensions of the samples must be controlled to ensure repeatability. In conclusion, the developed inter-fiber cohesion test method offers a promising and accessible approach to analyzing inter-fiber interactions in staple fibers.

Investigation of low temperature effects on the surface of TI–C composite material – textile blend

A method for the formation of a composite material is demonstrated, which involves applying titanium to one side of the textile blend 07S11‑KV (produced by OJSC “Mogotex”) and carbon to the other side of the fabric. Tests were conducted on the obtained material in a climatic chamber at temperatures ranging from –20 °C to –40 °C. It is shown that the developed composite material withstands low temperatures well, with no additional deformation of the composite material or structural defects observed. This composite material can be considered as promising for special applications in low‑temperature conditions (antistatic, microwave absorbing, biomedical).

Improved recyclability of the superbase ionic liquid [MTBNH][AcO] used in the lyocell fiber spinning process

In the research of new solvents for cellulose dissolution for textile fiber production, some ionic liquids offer high dissolving capacities making them attractive solvents for lyocell processes. One especially interesting group is superbase carboxylates. However, despite their excellent pulp dissolving abilities and good spinnability properties in a lyocell process, they have been lacking hydrolytic stability, which hinders their recyclability. In this article, a new type of superbase-based ionic liquid, [MTBNH][AcO], is aimed to provide higher hydrolytic stability than its structural relative predecessors. For evaluation of the hydrolysis behavior of [MTBNH][AcO], we have tested the ionic liquid in two sets of recycling experiments. The “blank-experiments” were applied to investigate hydrolytic behavior without the presence of pulp. These values were compared with the results from spinning trials with pulp. It was found that this new ionic liquid is not only more stable than its predecessor [MTBDH][AcO] in terms of hydrolysis but can also dissolve and spin cellulose at lower temperatures. The spun fibers were tested for their textile-physical properties and their performance was comparable to other lyocell fibers.

Scanning WAXS microscopy of regenerated cellulose fibers at mesoscopic resolution.

In this work, regenerated cellulose textile fibers, Ioncell-F, dry-wet spun with different draw ratios, have been investigated by scanning wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) using a mesoscopic X-ray beam. The fibers were found to be homogeneous on the 500 nm length scale. Analysis of the azimuthal angular dependence of a crystalline Bragg spot intensity revealed a radial dependence of the degree of orientation of crystallites that was found to increase with the distance from the center of the fiber. We attribute this to radial velocity gradients during the extrusion of the spin dope and the early stage of drawing. On the other hand, the fiber crystallinity was found to be essentially homogeneous over the fiber cross section.

Biodegradation behavior of wool and other textile fibers in aerobic composting conditions

AbstractPollution of the environment by microscopic fragments of plastic is a growing environmental concern. A category of this pollution is fiber fragments from textiles, a source of which is believed to be fibers released by clothing made of synthetic fibers during laundering. These fragments could enter the environment at the end of the textile’s useful life if it is not re-used or recycled. Disposal of biodegradable fibers could be achieved by industrial composting, but natural fibers are sometimes modified during manufacturing in ways that might influence biodegradation. The composting behavior of fabrics made with unmodified and chemically modified wool fibers (chlorine-Hercosett treated), regenerated cellulose, and several synthetic fibers was compared in industrial composting conditions according to an established standard test method. The fabrics were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and electron microscopy. The regenerated cellulose (viscose rayon) biodegraded to the greatest extent in the test, and both types of wool also biodegraded readily. All three synthetic fibers had no biodegradation. The machine-washable wool biodegraded more rapidly than unmodified wool and analysis of residues at the conclusion of the test indicated that it did not generate non-degradable fiber fragments. The epicuticle of unmodified wool is covered with a hydrophobic layer, which may resist microbial attack, but with time this slowly degraded. Conversely, the machine-washable wool is hydrophilic and therefore was easier for microbes to attack. If not re-used, commercial, machine-washable wool textiles can be readily disposed of in industrial composting conditions.

Mechanochemical Formation of Poly(melamine-formaldehyde) Microplastic Fibers During Abrasion of Cleaning Sponges.

The abrasion of synthetic textile fibers is a significant factor in the generation of environmental microplastic fibers (MPFs). The extent to which polymer sponges designed specifically for surface cleaning have a tendency to release MPFs during normal use remains unknown. Here, the tribological behaviors of melamine cleaning sponges (also known as "magic erasers") with different strut densities against metal surfaces of different roughness were investigated using a reciprocating abrader. The MPFs formed by sponge wear under various conditions were characterized in terms of their morphology, composition, and quantity. They were mainly composed of poly(melamine-formaldehyde) polymer with linear or branched fiber morphologies (10-405 μm in length), which were formed through deformation and fracture of the struts within open cells of the sponges, facilitated by friction-induced polymer decomposition. The rate and capability of MPF production generally increased with increasing roughness of the metal surface and density of the struts, respectively. The sponge wear could release 6.5 million MPFs/g, which could suggest a global overall emission of 4.9 trillion MPFs due to sponge consumption. Our study reveals a hitherto unrecognized source of the environmental MPF contamination and highlights the need to evaluate exposure risks associated with these new forms of MPFs.

Recycling Functional Fillers from Waste Tires for Tailored Polystyrene Composites: Mechanical, Fire Retarding, Electromagnetic Field Shielding, and Acoustic Insulation Properties-A Short Review.

Polymer waste is currently a big and challenging issue throughout the world. Waste tires represent an important source of polymer waste. Therefore, it is highly desirable to recycle functional fillers from waste tires to develop composite materials for advanced applications. The primary theme of this review involves an overview of developing polystyrene (PS) composites using materials from recycled tires as fillers; waste tire recycling in terms of ground tire rubbers, carbon black, and textile fibers; surface treatments of the fillers to optimize various composite properties; and the mechanical, fire retarding, acoustic, and electromagnetic field (EMI) shielding performances of PS composite materials. The development of composite materials from polystyrene and recycled waste tires provides a novel avenue to achieve reductions in carbon emission goals and closed-loop plastic recycling, which is of significance in the development of circular economics and an environmentally friendly society.

The Potential of Upstream to Downstream Sago Industry Trees in Meranti District, Riau Province

Abstract This study examines the potential of the sago plant industry in Meranti Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia. Through field surveys and sampling, it is known that Meranti Regency has a suitable land area for sago growth. The high potential of sago production is the basis for the sustainable development of the sago industry. In addition, sago waste such as dregs, wastewater, and unused sago bark, can be processed into products of economic value such as animal feed, organic fertilizers, building materials, textile fibers, and bioenergy raw materials. The potential of the sago waste industry in Meranti Regency promises economic, environmental, and social benefits. Government support, infrastructure investment, and socialisation efforts are needed to build public awareness and knowledge about the opportunities of the sago waste industry. By optimising sago waste treatment, this area can reduce negative impacts on the environment, create jobs, and improve the welfare of local communities.

Effect of block copolymer silicone softener on textile fabric hydrophilicity, softness, and durability

The present work addressed the effect of the structural intensification of amino-functional silicone softeners on selected functional properties of polyester, cotton/polyester, knotted cotton and terry towel fabrics. The amino-functional silicone softener formulations contain two comb-structured compounds (primary and secondary amino-silicone) and one block-structured compound (quaternary amino-silicone) softener. Amino-silicone surfactant was made using stable emulsions, and the treated fabric's performance were carefully examined and their wettability and softening capacities were compared. The resultant fabric was physically, morphologically and structurally analyzed using particle size analysis (PSA), FTIR, SEM, EDAX and expert panel hand-feel testing. It was observed that primary and secondary amino-silicone softeners had good softening ability but less hydrophilic effect on the cotton-polyester blend fabric. However, because of the different structural characteristics of the quaternary amino-silicone softener, variations in the wettability and softening ability of blend fabrics were noticed. Due to their superior softness, hydrophilicity, surface tension, and contact angle properties when compared to primary and secondary amino-silicone surfactants, quaternary amino-silicone surfactants are valued as versatile additives in a range of industries and applications. Finally, it has been observed that the prototype fabric softeners containing silicone derivatives may provide quality features that enhance fiber properties.

Sustainability of Blended Textile. Life Cycle Analysis

Textile fibers are derived from natural and artificial fibers and, in some cases, are blended together to ensure optimum properties. Textiles made from cotton and polyester blends currently hold a significant market share as they are relatively inexpensive, offer excellent performance, and have complementary properties. This textile blend is commonly used in everyday apparel. However, the production and consumption of textiles contribute significantly to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions, but the scale of the impact is uncertain and under debate. This is also the case in studies of cotton and polyester blends, as a detailed life cycle inventory of the production of this material is absent in the scientific literature, thus affecting its environmental impact assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill the knowledge gap by assessing the environmental impacts of cotton and polyester blend production and to establish a comprehensive life cycle inventory for the material. The findings of the study can contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of the life cycle of cotton and polyester blend textile products and work as a baseline scenario for the environmental impact assessment of various innovative textile recycling technologies. This is especially important as recycling of cotton and polyester blends is currently a major challenge. Additionally, these results can be of practical significance to assist businesses and policy makers in making environmentally informed choices.

Selective lignin arylation for biomass fractionation and benign bisphenols.

Lignocellulose is mainly composed of hydrophobic lignin and hydrophilic polysaccharide polymers, contributing to an indispensable carbon resource for green biorefineries1,2. When chemically treated, lignin is compromised owing to detrimental intra- and intermolecular crosslinking that hampers downstream process3,4. The current valorization paradigms aim to avoid the formation of new C-C bonds, referred to as condensation, by blocking or stabilizing the vulnerable moieties of lignin5-7. Although there have been efforts to enhance biomass utilization through the incorporation of phenolic additives8,9, exploiting lignin's proclivity towards condensation remains unproven for valorizing both lignin and carbohydrates to high-value products. Here we leverage the proclivity by directing the C-C bond formation in a catalytic arylation pathway using lignin-derived phenols with high nucleophilicity. The selectively condensed lignin, isolated in near-quantitative yields while preserving its prominent cleavable β-ether units, can be unlocked in a tandem catalytic process involving aryl migration and transfer hydrogenation. Lignin in wood is thereby converted to benign bisphenols (34-48wt%) that represent performance-advantaged replacements for their fossil-based counterparts. Delignified pulp from cellulose and xylose from xylan are co-produced for textile fibres and renewable chemicals. This condensation-driven strategy represents a key advancement complementary to other promising monophenol-oriented approaches targeting valuable platform chemicals and materials, thereby contributing to holistic biomass valorization.

A flexible, soft superabsorbent polyester-cotton blended fabric in-situ coated by poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylic acid)

A novel pre-synthesized polymer is fabricated with sodium polyacrylate and acrylic acid through free radical polymerization. Interestingly, the pre-synthesized polymer is further polymerized on the polyester-cotton fabric in the presence of glycerol as a cross-linking agent forming superabsorbent fabric. The composite functional fabrics is prepared by two steps, namely synthesis and finishing process. Owing to the vital role of the viscosity of pre-polymer for the superabsorbent property, the effect of monomer concentration, temperature, time, dosage of initiator and degree of neutralization on the viscosity of pre-polymer is thoroughly investigated. Besides, the effects of the degree of neutralization and dosage of polymerization solution as well as cross-linking agent on the water absorption of the composite and unfinished polyester-cotton blended fabrics is compared, respectively. After treatment, the water absorption capacity increases from 1 to 323.52 g/g in 1 h, reaching a maximum value of 417.53 g/g after 3.5 h. Besides, the water transportation obeys a Fickian diffusion mechanism. Furthermore, the composite fabric exhibits an optimum water retention capacity of up to 4 h. This speedy and super-water-absorbing material exhibits great potential in practical applications, such as in sanitary articles, wound dressings, and soil moisture.