Cotton Fabric Research Articles

Water vapor assisted fabrication of Janus fabric with asymmetric wettability for salt-free and efficient solar desalination

Interfacial solar water evaporation technology (ISWE), capable of extracting clean water from the abundantly available seawater, represents a promising avenue for alleviating structural water scarcity. However, the aggregation of salts on the evaporator surface is difficult to suppress in true seawater desalination, rendering efficient seawater desalination unsustainable. In this work, we propose a universal, environmentally friendly, and easy-to-operate water vapor assisted unidirectional coating strategy to fabricate Janus photothermal fabrics with asymmetric wettability on both sides. A unique porous structured hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (HCNTs)@Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) photothermal coating was formed on cotton fabric by harnessing the spontaneous water vapor diffusion within the fully wetted fabric. This coating not only robustly adhered to the fabric substrate but also endowed the Janus fabric with excellent photothermal performance and outstanding salt aggregation suppression capabilities. The introduction of Janus fabrics into a double-side evaporation mode demonstrated a stable evaporation rate of 1.36 kg m−2h−1 and an energy efficiency of >90 % during the continuous evaporation of true seawater, overcoming the contradiction between salt aggregation suppression and evaporation performance. The facile and sustainable production process of the salt-repellent solar evaporator demonstrated in this work paves the way for the large-scale application of ISWE in seawater desalination.

Concise review on naturally derived flame-retardants for cotton fabrics

Concise review on naturally derived flame-retardants for cotton fabrics

Performance enhancement of reactive foam dyeing for cotton fabric through different foaming agents and stabilizers

Purpose In the textile dyeing industry, the foam dyeing has been recognized as a significantly sustainable alternative for the cotton fabrics. However, this efficient technology undergoes the many issues related to the foam generation, foam optimization and the required performance of the resultant fabrics. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues through the development and optimization of the novel reactive foam dyeing recipes for the cotton fabrics. Design/methodology/approach The foam dyeing recipes were generated and optimized using the different stabilizers, foaming agents and three primary colors of reactive dyes. The different recipes were applied onto the cotton fabric using laboratory scale foam coating machine. The performance of the foam coated and padded fabrics was evaluated using different criteria including the shade depth, rubbing fastness, air permeability, washing fastness, perspiration fastness, light fastness and tear strength. Then, a complex decision-making approach, namely, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), was applied for the ranking of the key recipes based on the main criteria. Findings The newly optimized foam dyeing recipes were found very competitive with the conventional pad dyeing process with respect to the shade-depth and the other performance properties. The optimization of foaming parameters and addition of stabilizers have advanced the foam dyeing process, which would accelerate the implementation of foam dyeing methods in the textile industry. Furthermore, significant water and energy savings would be achieved as compared to the conventional foam dyeing. AHP model offered a comprehensive and rational way to identify the most important recipes amongst the selected recipes. Originality/value In this research, novel foam dyeing recipes have been developed for the cotton fabrics through the optimization of the different stabilizers, foaming agents and the three primary colors of reactive dyes. Until now, the exiting literature has not reported the combination of these stabilizers with the different foaming agents and three primary reactive dyes for the improvement of sustainable foam cotton dyeing process.

Sustainable Cationic Cotton with Keratin Hydrolysate

In this research work, the keratin hydrolysate was obtained from waste wool by using alkaline hydrolysis. The extracted keratin hydrolysate was treated to the cotton fabric, and then reference and treated fabrics dyed with direct dyestuffs in neutral medium without salt. It was revealed that there was improvement in treated fabric in terms of dyeability and dry crease recovery angle compared to untreated fabric and that wet fastness values and tensile strength values of treated fabric remained same compared to those of untreated fabric. The structural change of treated surfaces was confirmed by SEM, FTIR, XPS and TEM analyses.

Polyurethane Based Smart Composite Fabric for Personal Thermal Management in Multi-Mode.

Textiles with thermal/moisture managing functions are of high interest. However, making the textile sensitive to the surrounding environment is still challenging. Herein, a multimodal smart fabric is developed by stitching together the Ag coated thermal-humidity sensitive thermoplastic polyurethane (Ag-THSPU) and the hybrid of polyvinylidene fluoride and polyurethane (PU-PVDF). The porous PU-PVDF layer is used for solar reflection, infrared emissivity, and water resistance. The Ag-THSPU layer is designed for regulating thermal reflection, sweat evaporation as well as convection. In cold and dry state, the Ag domains are densely packed covering the crystalline polyurethane matrix, featuring low water transmission (102.74gm-2·24h-1), high thermal reflection and 2.4°C warmer than with cotton fabric. In the hot and humid state, the THSPU layer is swollen by sweat and expands in area, resulting in the formation of micro-hook faces where the Ag domains spread apart to promote sweat evaporation (2084.88g/m-2·24h-1), thermal radiation and convection, offering 2.5°C cooler than with cotton fabric. The strategy reported here opens a new door for the development of adaptive textiles in demanding situations.

Natural Dyeing of Cotton, Wool and Viscose Fabrics with Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin

This study investigates the optimal dyeing concentrations of cotton, wool, and viscose fabrics with sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC). Using SSC above the optimal concentration increases the amount of SCC in the wastewater, which is a disadvantage. Pre-finished 100% cotton, wool and viscose 1 x 1 rib knitted fabrics were dyed with varying SCC concentrations. Optimal dyeing concentrations were determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, showing dye absorption decreasing as SCC concentration increases. Equilibrium was reached at approximately 7 ml/L for cotton and viscose, and 3 ml/L for wool. Color measurement values and K/S values of the dyed samples were obtained according to the CIELab color system. The K/S values of dyed cotton, viscose, and wool fabrics rose as the concentration of SCC increased, reaching a peak at 9 ml/L for viscose and 12 ml/L for cotton and wool. Rubbing and perspiration fastness were rated good to excellent.

A facile method to fabricate superhydrophobic cotton fabrics finished using water-proof and antibacterial agent

Superhydrophobic emulsions (SHEs) based on fatty acids (stearic, palmitic, myristic and lauric acids)-melamine (FAMEs) was synthesized without emulsifier and applied on cotton fabric. The superhydrophobic compounds (FAME1, FAME2, FAME3 and FAME4) were successfully prepared on the basis of the reaction between fatty acid anhydrides and melamine. The chemical structures of the prepared FAME compounds were investigated using FTIR,1HNMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The cotton fabric samples were treated with the prepared emulsions using different concentrations in the range of 20 – 60 g/L. Hydrostatic pressure, water contact angle (WCA) and water permeability tests were performed on the treated samples. It was shown that super hydrophobicity of the fabric treated with stearic acid-melamine emulsion (60 g/L) recorded the best results due to the combined effect of surface roughness imparted by melamine and the low surface energy of stearic acid. Furthermore, antibacterial agent Biochrol WS1 in concentrations (2 and 8%) was simultaneously applied to the treated samples. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to estimate the biological activity of the treated cotton. Two strains of bacteria: Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis - Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli-Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were used for this purpose. The tensile strength of treated samples was measured as well. The results showed that the antibacterial and water-proof fabrics can be achieved by applying selected material without significant changes on their comfort properties.

Multifunctional Wearable Electronic Based on Fabric Modified by PPy/NiCoAl-LDH for Energy Storage, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, and Photothermal Conversion.

With the rapid advancement of electronic technology, traditional textiles are challenged to keep up with the demands of wearable electronics. It is anticipated that multifunctional textile-based electronics incorporating energy storage, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and photothermal conversion are expected to alleviate this problem. Herein, a multifunctional cotton fabric with hierarchical array structure (PPy/NiCoAl-LDH/Cotton) is fabricated by the introduction of NiCoAl-layered double hydroxide (NiCoAl-LDH) nanosheet arrays on cotton fibers, followed by polymerization and growth of continuous dense polypyrrole (PPy) conductive layers. The multifunctional cotton fabric shows a high specific areal capacitance of 754.72 mF cm-2 at 5mA cm-2 and maintains a long cycling life (80.95% retention after 1000 cycles). The symmetrical supercapacitor assembled with this fabric achieves an energy density of 20.83µWh cm-2 and a power density of 0.23 mWcm-2. Moreover, the excellent electromagnetic interference shielding (38.83dB), photothermal conversion (70.2 °C at 1000mWcm-2), flexibility and durability are also possess by the multifunctional cotton fabric. Such a multifunctional cotton fabric has great potential for using in new energy, smart electronics, and thermal management applications.

Quantification of Fiber Shedding from Cotton Fabrics During Drying in a Domestic Heat Pump Tumble Dryer

ABSTRACT Tumble drying of textiles is associated with mechanical and thermal stress, which leads to textile damage and shedding of fibers. In this study, fiber shedding from cotton textiles is investigated by evaluating the mass of fibers accumulated on different filters positioned downstream of the tumble dryer drum. The total mass of fibers at the end of drying was positively correlated with the dry mass of the loaded textiles. By observing the time-dependent accumulation of fibers on a high-performance filter, three different phases of fiber shedding could be identified. In the first phase, which lasted up to a textile moisture content of about 35%, only minimal fiber accumulation was detected. The following phase lasted almost until the end of drying and showed the highest fiber accumulation rates. In the last phase, the rate of fiber accumulation decreased. The experiments also showed that longer tumbling of textiles with a lower moisture content led to a greater total mass of accumulated fibers. To reduce fiber shedding, damage to the textiles and the resulting pollution, it is recommended to reduce the mechanical loading of textiles, especially in the final stages of the drying process.

A utility and easily fabricated dual-mode fiber film for efficient and comfortable thermal management

Nowadays, the global climate is constantly being destroyed and the fluctuations in ambient temperature are becoming more frequent. However, conventional single-mode thermal management strategies (heating or cooling) failed to resolve such dynamic temperature changes. Moreover, developing thermal management devices capable of accommodating these temperature variations while remaining simple to fabricate and durable has remained a formidable obstacle. To address these bottlenecks, we design and successfully fabricate a novel dual-mode hierarchical (DMH) composite film featuring a micro-nanofiber network structure, achieved through a straightforward two-step continuous electrospinning process. In cooling mode, it presents a high solar reflectivity of up to 97.7% and an excellent atmospheric transparent window (ATW) infrared emissivity of up to 98.9%. Noted that this DMH film could realize a cooling of 8.1 °C compared to the ambient temperature outdoors. In heating mode, it also exhibits a high solar absorptivity of 94.7% and heats up to 11.9 °C higher than black cotton fabric when utilized by individuals. In practical application scenarios, a seamless transition between efficient cooling and heating is achieved by simply flipping the film. More importantly, the DMH film combining the benefits of composites demonstrates portability, durability, and easy-cleaning, promising to achieve large-scale production and use of thermally managed textiles in the future. The energy savings offered by film applications provide a viable solution for the early realization of carbon neutrality.

Roles of Electrostatic Interactions in the Peroxide System for Bleaching of Cotton Fabric

Roles of Electrostatic Interactions in the Peroxide System for Bleaching of Cotton Fabric

High‐performance resistive/capacitive pressure sensor applied on smart insoles detecting abnormal activity

AbstractThis paper presents an approach to pressure sensors with dual‐function resistors and capacitors implemented with interdigitated capacitors fabricated on a flexible substrate for detecting abnormal actions during walking. In this study, we proposed a highly sensitive, broad‐range pressure sensor achieved through a combination of porous Ecoflex, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), coating single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and interdigitated electrodes. First, characterizations of the capacitor and resistor sensor applied onto cotton fabric are completed by precision LCR meter across the frequency at 50 kHz. Subsequently, the presence of volume fraction CNTs enhances the bond strength of composites, and coating SWCNT improves sensor sensitivity. The robustness of our presented sensor is validated through testing under high pressure (50 kPa) for more than 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the combination of CNTs and porous dielectric, along with SWCNT coating, achieves a broad detection range (500 kPa) with a sensitivity range from 0.018 (at 500 kPa) to 0.15 (at 5 kPa). Finally, our high‐performance resistive/capacitive pressure sensor applied on smart insoles represents a significant advancement in wearable technology for health monitoring and safety applications. Leveraging an advanced autoencoder, our proposed sensor accurately detects abnormal activity patterns, such as sudden stops or irregular gait, thereby alerting users to potential safety concerns. Its ability to detect abnormal activity patterns enhances user safety and well‐being, making it a tool for various healthcare and fitness applications.

Evaluation of emergency skin decontamination protocols in response to an acid attack (vitreolage)

The incidence of “acid attacks” (vitreolage) is a global concern, with those affected often receiving lifelong medical care due to physical and psychological damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of several emergency skin decontamination approaches against concentrated (>99 %) sulphuric acid and to identify the effective window of opportunity for decontamination. The effects of four decontamination methods (dry, wet, combined dry & wet and cotton cloth) were assessed using an in vitro diffusion cell system containing dermatomed porcine skin. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) was applied to the skin with decontamination protocols performed at 10 s, 30 s, 8 min, and 30 min post exposure. Skin damage was quantified by tritiated water (3H2O) penetration, receptor fluid pH and photometric stereo imaging (PSI), with quantification of residual sulphur (by SEM-EDS) to determine overall decontamination efficiency. Skin translucency (quantified by PSI) demonstrated a time-dependent loss of dermal tissue integrity from 10 s. Quantification of dermal sulphur content confirmed the rapid (exponential) decrease in decontamination efficiency with time. The pH of the water effluent indicated complete neutralisation of acid from the skin surface after 90 s of irrigation. Wet decontamination (either alone or immediately following dry decontamination) was the most effective intervention evaluated, although no decontamination technique was statistically effective after 30 s exposure to the acid. These data demonstrate the time-critical consequences of dermal exposure to concentrated sulphuric acid: we find no practical window of opportunity for acid decontamination, as physical damage is virtually instantaneous.

A Sustainable Technique to Enhance the Color Intensity of Natural Dyes on Cotton Fabric

Natural dyeing of cotton, as opposed to its synthetic counterpart, offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics. While it imparts unique value to fabrics, its true significance lies in its contribution to environmental sustainability, human health, and cultural preservation. The bark of purple orchid (Bauhinia purpurea), harbors a natural pigment that contributes as a natural dye. Custard apple rind extracts, rich in tannins and other active compounds, have been documented to effectively mordant various fabrics, including cotton. This eco-friendly option offers a sustainable alternative to conventional, often metal-based mordants, potentially reducing environmental impact. Optimum results were achieved with the pre-treatment using casein (8%) and 0.5 part of K2CO3 to 1 part of casein. The pre-treated and pre-mordanted fabric was dyed at 80 °C at 12% concentration for 60 minutes. The colour of each dyed material was investigated in terms of the CIELAB (L*, a*, and b*) and K/S values.

Preparation of Al-doped carbon materials derived from artificial potassium humate prepared from waste cotton cloth and their excellent Cr(VI) adsorption performance

Millions of tons of cotton textile waste are generated annually worldwide, and most of it enters the municipal solid waste (MSW) stream for landfill or incineration disposal, resulting in a significant waste of resources and environmental pollution. This article developed an innovative low-temperature pyrolysis process for producing artificial humic acid (HA) from waste cotton textiles. Subsequently, Al3+ was introduced for a secondary pyrolysis to prepare an Al-doped biochar (Al/BC) with superior adsorption properties. The experimental results show that the presence of Al3+ has an important influence on the pyrolysis process of cotton fabric and the formation and structure of Al/BC. This is the first time to synthesize low-cost adsorbent by pyrolysis and aluminum mixing process of waste cotton cloth and explains the mechanism. This increased in defects (ID/IG = 0.76 to ID/IG = 0.92), a larger specific surface area (6.47 m2/g to 566.94 m2/g), and an increase in oxygen-containing functional groups (from none to C-O-C, OC-O, etc.) when compared to the undoped Al3+ biochar. The optimum Al3+-doped biochar (Al/BC-15) prepared with HA as a precursor exhibited a superior adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) of up to 176.23 mg/g, surpassing the results reported for similar materials in the literature. The adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) is primarily based on physical adsorption, with some chemical adsorption. At a lower pH, the Al/BC-15 surface exhibits a high positive charge (46 mV). The Al3+-O-Cr(VI) association group is formed through rapid electrostatic attraction between C-Al and Cr(VI). Due to the strong positive electronegativity of Al3+ and the negative electronegativity of C in the vicinity of Al, Cr(VI) is further reduced to Cr(III) by C-Al. Therefore, the method proposed in this paper for preparing Al-doped carbon materials from waste cotton fabric offers a new approach and potential application for the production of high-performance adsorbent materials from waste cotton fabric.

Enhanced superhydrophobicity and durability of modified cotton cloth for efficient oil-water separation

The development of simple, low-cost, and efficient oil/water separation membranes is still a major challenge in the field of wastewater treatment. In this study, an oil/water separation membrane is prepared based on low-cost cotton cloth (CF) through a simple solution soaking treatment without using organic solvents. Pristine CF is treated first with concentrated alkali and then chemically grafted by sodium methyl silicate (SMS) onto the surface to obtain oil/water separation membrane (SMS-O-CF). This process not only increases the roughness of the CF but also endows the surface with superhydrophobicity due to the outward extension of methyl groups, resulting in a water contact angle (WCA) of 155° and good self-cleaning ability. The SMS-O-CF achieves efficient separation for various oil/water mixtures and maintains a separation efficiency up to 96 % and a flux of over 11,557 L·m−2·h−1 after 220 cycles under neutral conditions. Moreover, the modified CF also exhibits excellent acid/alkaline resistance and wear resistance. Regardless of the 12 h acid/base immersion, 100 min water wash, or 200-cycle mechanical abrasion, SMS-O-CF still exhibits high flux and separation efficiency. Raw material cost for preparing SMS-O-CF is as low as 1.0 dollar/m2. The preparation of SMS-O-CF has provided a green manufacturing method for developing low-cost and efficient oil–water separation membranes.

Laccase-Catalyzed the Polymerization of Portulaca Oleracea L. Extract as a Precursor for Ecological Dyeing of Pure Cotton Fabric

Laccase-Catalyzed the Polymerization of Portulaca Oleracea L. Extract as a Precursor for Ecological Dyeing of Pure Cotton Fabric

A Janus textile mimics leaf stoma for dynamic thermal regulation through a shape memory coating

The development of smart textiles with thermal/moisture regulation is crucial for outdoor activities and healthcare applications. However, incorporating dynamic adaptive thermal management into conventional fabrics to provide consistent comfort remains a significant challenge. Inspired by the ingenious stomata of plant leaves, a novel Janus-type cotton fabric is fabricated by covalently linking shape memory polymer (SMP) on the surfaces of cotton fibers via the combination of the “grafting from” strategy and the “mist polymerization” methodology. This unique coating induces yarns to dynamically twist in response to temperature, switching the pore apertures in the fabric and allowing for adaptive adjustment of both heat dissipation capability and moisture permeability. The resulting fabrics provide effective thermal insulation at low temperatures, while demonstrating an enhanced cooling effect at high temperatures. Meanwhile, the asymmetrical distribution of SMP across the fabric enables unidirectional water transport, improving sweat removal and cooling. Additionally, the excellent biocompatibility and fabric flexibility allow for comfortable garment fabrication. This work provides novel insights into the field of self-adaptive thermal regulation, demonstrating promising potential for smart textile applications.

Eco-Friendly Textile-Based Wearable Humidity Sensor with Multinode Wireless Connectivity for Healthcare Applications.

Textile-based wearable humidity sensors are of great interest for human healthcare monitoring as they can provide critical human-physiology information. The demand for wearable and sustainable sensing technology has significantly promoted the development of eco-friendly sensing solutions for potential real-world applications. Herein, a biodegradable cotton (textile)-based wearable humidity sensor has been developed using fabsil-treated cotton fabric coated with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) sensing layer. The structural, chemical composition, hygroscopicity, and morphological properties are examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The developed sensor exhibited a nearly linear response (Adj. R-square value observed as 0.95035) over a broad relative humidity (RH) range from 25 to 91.5%RH displaying high sensitivity (26.1%/%RH). The sensor shows excellent reproducibility (on replica sensors with a margin of error ±1.98%) and appreciable stability/aging with time (>4.5 months), high flexibility (studied at bending angles 30°, 70°, 120°, and 150°), substantial response/recovery durations (suitable for multiple applications), and highly repeatable (multicyclic analysis) sensing performance. The prospective relevance of the developed humidity sensor toward healthcare applications is demonstrated via breathing rate monitoring (via a sensor attached to a face mask), distinguishing different breathing patterns (normal, deep, and fast), skin moisture monitoring, and neonatal care (diaper wetting). The multinode wireless connectivity is demonstrated using a Raspberry Pi Pico-based system for demonstrating the potential applicability of the developed sensor as a real-time humidity monitoring system for the healthcare sector. Further, the biodegradability analysis of the used textile is evaluated using the soil burial degradation test. The work suggests the potential applicability of the developed flexible and eco-friendly humidity sensor in wearable healthcare devices and other humidity sensing applications.

High-performance color and fluorescence switching of cotton fabrics via light-induced proton transfer strategy of spiropyran sulfonate molecule

Light-responsive color-switching materials have garnered persistent interest recently due to their passive response to external stimuli and manifestation of notable visual color variations. Nonetheless, their development into high-end products has been hindered by unsatisfactory overall performance, characterized by challenges such as the inability to combine color contrast and retention time, poor repeatability, and reliance on a single coloring mode. Herein, we present a negative photochromic cotton fabric (NPCF) capable of real-time dual output of optical signals (color change or fluorescence emission), featuring high color contrast and resolution, excellent reversibility, and facile multicolor printing. These attributes stem from the utilization of a unique photoinduced proton transfer (PPT) strategy exhibited by the designed and synthesized spiropyran sulfonate molecule (MC-NO2). Guided by this strategy, NPCF demonstrates significant color changes and fluorescence switching in a real-time and highly reversible manner, leveraging the remote non-contact and non-destructive nature of visible light. Moreover, direct blending of MC-NO2 with commercially available water-soluble non-stimuli-responsive dyes enables customization of various photosensitive color systems for straightforward multi-color printing, aligning well with the environmental principles of green printing. This study serves as a valuable reference for the advancement and design of diverse high-performance, switchable materials suitable for the production of high-end products.