Cotton Fabric Research Articles

Characterization of Silver Conductive Ink Screen-Printed Textile Circuits: Effects of Substrate, Mesh Density, and Overprinting

This study explores the intricate interaction between the properties of textile substrates and screen-printing parameters in shaping fabric circuits using silver conductive ink. Via analyzing key variables such as fabric type, mesh density, and the number of overprinted layers, the research revealed how the porous structure, large surface area, and fiber morphology of textile substrates influence ink absorption, ultimately enhancing the electrical connectivity of the printed circuits. Notably, the hydrophilic cotton staple fibers fabric effectively absorbed the conductive ink into the fabric substrate, demonstrating superior electrical performance compared with the hydrophobic polyester filament fabric after three overprinting, unlike the results observed after a single print. As mesh density decreased and the number of prints increased, the electrical resistance of the circuit gradually reduced, but ink bleeding on the fabric surface became more pronounced. Cotton fabric, via absorbing the ink deeply, exhibited less surface bleeding, while polyester fabric showed more noticeable ink spreading. These findings provide valuable insights for improving screen printing technology for textile circuits and contribute to the development of advanced fabric circuits that enhance the functionality of smart wearable technology.

Dynamic Hydrophobic Behavior of Water Droplet on Siloxane-Based SiO2 Nanoparticle Modified Cotton Fabric

In this paper, modified SiO2 nanoparticles were selected to improve the surface roughness and decrease the surface energy to improve the hydrophobic performance of cotton fabric. Tetraethoxysilane and octadecyltriethoxysilane were used as raw materials to synthesize octadecyltriethoxysilane-modified SiO2 nanoparticles (siloxane-SiO2), and combined with cotton fabric. The chemical composition and surface morphology of the fabric were measured. The contact angles of the modified cotton fabrics prepared under different reaction conditions were approaching or above 150°. In addition, dynamic evolutions of water droplets on the modified cotton fabric surface were discussed. The adhesive force and the energy conversion of droplet during the collision were investigated. The water droplet bounced due to the superhydrophobic properties of the cotton fabric surface producing enough residual energy. Finally, through the acid–base chemical resistance treatments, the rubbing and washing durability, and anti-fouling experiment, the modified fabric indicated excellent hydrophobic durability and self-cleaning performance.

Photocatalytic Bleaching Process of Cotton Fabric with H2O2 and H2O2 /n-TiO2

This study delves into the exploration of an alternative bleaching method as a substitute for hydrogen peroxide, addressing concerns related to its excessive chemical usage, high waste load, and elevated energy and water consumption. Photocatalytic bleaching was implemented on 100% cotton fabrics. Initially, hydrogen peroxide served as a catalyst, and the photocatalytic effect was meticulously examined. Subsequently, nano-sized TiO2 was introduced into the photocatalytic recipe, and operational conditions were fine-tuned to determine the optimal bleaching process for cotton fabrics. All photocatalytic experiments were systematically compared with conventional hydrojen peroxide bleaching method. A comprehensive analysis, encompassing color spectrum values, SEM, SEM-EDX, XRD, and FTIR-ATR tests, was conducted. The results revealed a notable 13.36% enhancement in whiteness performance during bleaching when subjected to photocatalytic treatment with nano TiO2 and H2O2 in tandem. This study posits itself as an environmentally conscious alternative to the long-standing conventional bleaching processes prevalent in the textile industry.

Limonene biosolvent-based non-aqueous dyeing medium for salt-free and alkali-free rhamnolipid (RL) biosurfactant reverse micellar dyeing of cotton fabric with reactive dyes

The feasibility of using different forms of limonene biosolvents as dyeing medium in rhamnolipid (RL) biosurfactant-based reverse micellar dyeing system for cotton fabrics is investigated, with different dyeing profiles. Experimental results reveal that limonene-dyed fabrics can achieve generally higher colour yield than water-dyed fabrics while samples dyed by one-step dyeing method could obtain higher colour yield, but poorer relative unlevelness index (RUI) values when compared with samples dyed by two-step method. The CIE L*a*b* value and reflectance of water-dyed and limonene-dyed samples were examined. The pH value of aqueous and non-aqueous dye liquor was measured. SEM images of limonene-dyed cotton fabrics and TEM images of reverse micelle morphology were evaluated. Washing and crocking fastness of the dyed samples were also assessed. The resulting evidence validate that limonene is feasible for reverse micellar reactive dyeing of cotton fabric with the use of RL biosurfactant and it can be one of the alternative solvents, making the dyeing process more natural, more biodegradable and environmentally more sustainable.

Eco-friendly and low-cost phytodyeing for wool, cotton and polyester textile materials using Parthenocissus Quinquefolia L. Fruit Extracts

This study investigates the extraction of natural colorant from fresh fruits of Parthenocissus quinquefolia L. and the application of the extracted dye to wool yarn, cotton, and polyester fabrics in the presence and absence of various mordants. The effect of mordant type on the dyeing quality with different mordanting methods was examined. Iron sulfate, tin chloride, alum, copper sulfate, and potassium dichromate were used as mordant. The effects of these mordants on the color of the dyed samples were investigated in terms of CIELab (L*, a*, b*) and K/S values. The light, washing and rubbing fastness of the dyed samples were evaluated according to ISO standards. While dyeing wool yarn without mordant produces reddish brown, and dyeing with mordant produces a wide range of colors from green to purple, blue and lilac tones are obtained in cotton fabric dyeing, and green, purple and brown tones are obtained in polyester fabric dyeing. While polyester fabrics are dyed with synthetic dyes at 130 oC, in this study they were dyed with natural dyes at 90 oC. As a result of dyeing, colors with high fastness are generally obtained.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Single Jersey Knitted Fabrics Containing Recycled Cotton Fiber and Fabric Performance

This study investigates the life cycle assesment of single jersey knitted fabrics containing recycled cotton and their some performance properties. In the yarn production stage fibers obtained from waste through mechanical recycling (pre-consumer recycle) were used in blends at 10%, 15%, and 20% to produce knitted fabrics. Some performance properties such as fabric stiffness, air permeability, and dimensional change, which are important in the usage properties of jersey knitted fabrics, were compared. Within the scope of the study, the environmental impact of the use of recycled raw materials was evaluated with LCA. According to the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) results, the use of recycled cotton with contributions ranging from 10% to 20% instead of 100% original cotton demonstrated significant improvements in resource depletion (fossil fuels), global warming, ozone layer depletion, toxic impact on human life, toxic impact on freshwater life, toxic impact on terrestrial life, and total water usage.

Cotton fabric with durable flame retardancy, robust superhydrophobicity and reliable UV shielding

Cotton fabric with durable flame retardancy, robust superhydrophobicity and reliable UV shielding

Antibacterial and wound healing activity of non-thermal plasma treated and MXene (Ti3C2TX)/ WO3 coated cotton fabrics

In this study, MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/WO3 nanocomposite was directly deposited on the surface of non-thermal plasma treated cotton fabrics. Initially, argon was used as a plasma forming gas to treat the surface of cotton fabrics. Subsequently, the MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/WO3 nanocomposite was deposited on the surface of non-thermal plasma treated cotton fabrics by co-precipitation method. As prepared cotton fabrics were characterized by various characterization techniques that includes, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and Contact Angle (CA) measurement. SEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/WO3 nanocomposite on the surface of cotton fabrics. In addition, contact angle analysis unveiled the super hydrophilic nature of cotton fabrics after surface modification. The antibacterial activity and the wound healing assay of the untreated and surface modified cotton fabrics were examined by in vitro analysis. Results unveiled that the surface modified cotton fabrics showed excellent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and substantial wound healing activity. From this investigation it is inferred that plasma treated and nanocomposite functionalised cotton fabrics have the potential to be employed as wound dressing material.

Fabrication of sustainable functional cotton fabric with silk sericin and chitosan for protective textiles

The use of bio-based sources for producing multifunctional cotton fabric with UV-protective and antibacterial properties is essential. Hence, the primary aim of this work was to develop sustainable functional cotton fabric (antibacterial and UV-protective) by applying silk sericin and chitosan using a simple and environmentally benign pad-dry curing method. The modification as well as functional properties of the treated fabric were evaluated in terms of antimicrobial efficacy, moisture management, UV protection, scavenging activity, surface morphology, thermal stability and mechanical strength. The results indicated that the concentration of chitosan around 10 mg/mL demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive S. aureus bacteria. The quantitative analysis revealed an 87 %, reduction of bacteria, which surpassed the reduction rates in cotton fabric treated with sericin at concentrations of 10 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL. The chitosan/sericin treated fabric showed antioxidant i.e. radical scavenging activity (RSA) of 47.44 % while the fabric treated with chitosan and sericin individually had RSAs of 42.35 % and 53.04 %. Compared to cloth treated with chitosan and sericin separately, the fabric treated with chitosan/sericin showed significantly better resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light (UFP 16.80). Based on the study, it is possible to create sustainable, multipurpose cotton fabrics with potential uses in protective textiles by combining silk sericin with chitosan.

Examining the impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors on women’s health: A survey-based study of menstrual hygiene, pregnancy, and postpregnancy care in the Gonds Tribe of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Gonds tribe, indigenous to the Sonbhadra region in Uttar Pradesh, India, faces unique challenges and disparities in women’s health, particularly in the domains of menstrual health, pregnancy, and postpregnancy care. This study aims to shed light on the demographic patterns of these critical aspects of women’s health among the Gonds tribe, providing valuable insights for healthcare interventions and policy development. Aim: This study explores the demographic and socioeconomic factors affecting Gond women’s health, focusing on menstrual hygiene and life stages before, during, and after pregnancy. Methodology: We collected data on menstruation wellness behaviors, pregnancy experiences, and postpregnancy care by conducting an extensive survey among Gonds women in the Sonbhadra area. In addition, focus groups and qualitative interviews were used to acquire greater knowledge of the socioeconomic and social factors impacting these health-distinctive characteristics. Result: The Chi-square test shows no significant link between age group and menstrual hygiene product use. Young women (under 18) mostly use cotton cloth (56%). Women aged 18–49 prefer cotton cloth (53.2%). Women 50+ use cotton cloth (43.2%), cotton (29.7%), and sanitary napkins (27%). Marital status affects product use and cycle regularity. Cultural beliefs and education influence healthcare decisions. Menstrual hygiene mainly involves cotton cloth (45%) and cotton (26.1%). Conclusion: In conclusion, our analysis uncovers key insights: Marital status, healthcare access, education, cultural beliefs, and reproductive health practices influence community healthcare decisions. These findings inform tailored interventions to enhance health outcomes and equity.

Enzymatic synthesis of self-adhesive zein to impart durable hydrophobicity with antioxidant activity to cotton fabrics

In this study, dopamine (DA) was used as the acyl receptor to modify zein through transglutaminase (TGase)-mediated reaction, producing self-adhesive zein (zein-DA complex). The structure of zein-DA complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (1H NMR), and circular dichroism spectrum (CD), revealing the successful grafting of catechol structure of DA to zein. The results of SDS-PAGE demonstrated that zein-DA complex exhibited great ability of self-polymerization. The zein-DA complex absorbed on the cotton fabric surface imparted hydrophobicity with a water contact angle value (WCA) of 121.34 ± 1.14° to the fabrics. After 5 washing cycles, the WCA still remained 100.28 ± 4.83°, which indicated the fabrics obtained relatively durable hydrophobicity due to the self-adhesion of zein-DA complex. The results of FT-IR, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and color reaction tests manifested that much more protein attached on the surface of cotton fabric treated with zein-DA complex after washing compared with that with zein, which verified that the zein-DA complex had strong adhesion properties. Due to the introduction of DA, the relative DPPH free radical scavenging activity of cotton treated with zein-DA complex reached 43.60 ± 0.28 %, which was obviously higher than cotton treated with zein. The functionalized fabrics with zein-DA complex had both hydrophobicity and antioxidant activities.

Fabrication of copper coated aminated graphene oxide based textiles for electromagnetic interference shielding applications

The issue of electromagnetic radiation pollution and interference has been triggered due to rapid progress in electronic and telecommunication technologies. Serious health issues such as cancer, headaches, and improper development of the brain take place due to long-term exposure to dangerous radiation. Therefore, materials are required to provide efficient protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI). This study aimed to protect humans from dangerous radiations of different frequency by developing EMI shielding textiles. For this, a bilayer textile structure was fabricated by the electroless plating of copper on aminated GO cotton fabric. GO was applied on cotton fabric by simple dip and dry method and then amine groups were generated by solvothermal reaction. After that, copper electroless plating was done on aminated GO fabric. According to the results, remarkable EMI SE in different frequency bands was observed in developed fabrics and the maximum EMI SE was about 34 dB at 13.6 GHz. In all the frequency bands ranging between (100 MHz and 13.6 GHz), more than 99.9 % of EMI shielding observed in the developed fabric. Moreover, the developed fabric exhibited high thermal stability and surface resistance of about ~0.18 Ω/cm. The results of this study clearly showed that the efficacy of EMI shielding developed fabric is a remarkable strategy for controlling electromagnetic radiation pollution exposing humans.

Robust, intelligent photochromic cotton fabrics with superamphiphobicity and expedient UV detection ability

Multifunctional photochromic cotton fabrics have enormous application potential in our daily lives, but still suffer from poor durability, slow coloration, tedious fabrication process, and short service life. The hydrophilic and polysaccharide characteristics of cotton fabrics make them vulnerable to bacteria adhesion and proliferation. Herein, intelligent photochromic cotton fabrics featured with durable superamphiphobicity are fabricated by in situ growth of ZIF-8 nanoparticles encapsulating spirooxazine (SP) photochromic dyes on the fabric surface, followed by low surface energy treatment using a fluorocarbon resin (FR) via a dip-coating method. The resultant SP@ZIF-8/FR cotton fabrics exhibit superamphiphobicity with contact angles of over 150° to both water and oils (surface tension ≥30 mN/m). When exposed to UV light, the fabric rapidly changes its color from white to blue within 10 s and fades in 2 min under visible room light. The developed SP@ZIF-8/FR coating is durable against numerous damages in daily usage, such as machine laundry, abrasion and UV irradiation, without losing photochromic and superamphiphobic properties. The high durability and excellent reversible color response allow the coated fabric to intuitively and quantitatively monitor outdoor UV intensity. Owing to the presence of ZIF-8, the treated fabrics also show excellent antibacterial property with antibacterial rates of over 99 % against both E. coli and S. aureus. The developed fabric coating can be engineered to visually assess the UV intensity in the outdoor environment.

A structural investigation on the interactions of cotton fabric cellulose with olive oil and water

The cotton fabric consists of cellulose arranged in a complex structure with multiple levels of organization at different length scales. Understanding this structure and its interactions with water and oil is essential for developing efficient and environmentally friendly methods of cotton washing. In this study, the structure of raw cotton fabric cellulose and the effects of water and oil were examined across a broad range of length scales using spatially resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and auxiliary techniques.Water was observed to penetrate the cotton fabric and interact across nearly all length scales. Although a certain amount of the material was not affected by water as seen by intact distance between microfibrils, fractal analysis of the scattering data indicated a loosening of the microfibril arrangement after contact with water. This process was hindered if the material had been pre-treated with oil and was not seen after subsequent washing with water or surfactant solution. Analyzing spatially resolved SAXS data using a bi-sinusoidal model and 2D maps of the oil-to-cotton ratio facilitates understanding the structure of the material and its interactions with oil on the molecular, nano and macrolevels.

Sustainable Oily Liquid-Proof Passive Cooling (SOC) Textile for Personal Thermal Management.

Sweat passive-cooling textiles with asymmetric wettabilities on different sides offer an effective and low-energy consumption solution to personal thermal management in extreme thermal environments. However, the sweat-wicking and the cooling abilities decrease when the textile is contaminated by low-surface tension oily liquid fouling. The integration of anti-oily liquid fouling and sweat-wicking abilities on textile involves resolving the contradiction between hydrophilic and oleophobic properties and seeking eco-friendly short-chain fluorides to reduce the surface energy. Herein, a sustainable oily liquid-proof passive cooling (SOC) textile for personal thermal management is proposed. The SOC textile is obtained by applying a fluoride-free hydrophobic coating layer to one side of the high thermal conductive superoleophobic/superhydrophilic basal textile, which is fabricated using eco-friendly short-chain fluoride. The SOC textile preserves the anti-oily liquid fouling property even after 2000 abrasion cycles. Experimental test revealed that the SOC textile exhibits a cooling effect of ≈5°C compared with the cotton textile, and the up to 70% reduction in sweating rate under the constant metabolic heat production rates. The configuration of the SOC textile would inspire the future design of intelligent textiles for personal thermal management, and the proposed strategy have implications for fabrication of eco-friendly oil-water separation materials.

Cotton Fabric Coating by Cationic Starches to Aim for Salt‐Free Reactive Dyeing

AbstractCationic starch (CatS) coating of cellulose fabrics enables salt‐free reactive dyeing. However, the relation of the degree of substitution and CatS concentration in the dyeing procedure are open issues. Accordingly, three cationic starches of increasing degree of substitution were used at different concentrations for the coating of cotton fabrics. Fabrics were evaluated for stiffness, dye uptake, dye exhaustion, wash fastness and nitrogen content.With an increasing degree of substitution coating solutions become more viscous, resulting in increased wet pick‐up and less stiff coated fabrics. These fabrics show increasing dye absorption and color generation. Due to the molecular size of the cationic starch, yarn/fiber ring dyeing is supposed present. Specifically, color generation can be adjusted by initial cationic starch coating concentration. Above 5 % CatS concentration ceases to have an increasing coloration effect. Pre‐treating a cellulose fabric with approximately 2.2 % CatS (Ds=0.7) enables similar coloration to a standard reactive dyeing protocol. Light fastness is reduced by 1–1.5 compared to salt‐based reactive dyeing. Rub fastness decreases by 1–2 only for higher substituted cationic starches (Ds=0.7). Nitrogen analysis reveals that a share of the CatS elutes off the fabrics into the dye bath.

Schiff base approach to introduce chitosan-phytic acid complex for flame-retardant cotton fabrics

In this study, chitosan was integrated onto cotton fabric fibers through a Schiff base reaction, followed by the in-situ generation of Chitosan-Phytic acid (CH-PA) complex to achieve green flame retardancy. The process began with oxidizing the fabric using sodium periodate (NaIO4) to create numerous aldehyde groups on the fiber surface. Subsequently, CH was grafted onto the fabric via a Schiff base reaction. The fabric was then immersed in a PA solution to form a CH-PA complex, resulting in a novel and highly efficient flame-retardant (FR) fabric. The structure of the treated fabric was analyzed by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), confirming the successful formation of the desired structure. The thermal stability and flame retardancy of the fabric were systematically evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cone calorimetry (CONE), vertical combustion tests, and limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements. The LOI increased from 17.6 % to 30.6 %, and vertical combustion tests demonstrated self-extinguishing capabilities when the fabric was treated by the NaIO4 solution at concentrations of 0.02 g/mL or higher. In the CONE test, the modified fabric showed significant improvements, with peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) decreasing by approximately 80 % and 60 %, respectively. Comprehensive analysis indicated that the FR mechanism involved both gas phase and condensed phase actions. Further characterization of the material included tensile testing and wash resistance assessments. By comparing these findings with recent research on similar topics, the advantages and disadvantages of the materials were thoroughly evaluated. Notably, this work provides a robust experimental foundation and conceptual expansion for the green flame retardancy of cotton fabrics.

One-bath dyeing and antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric using reactive dye and silver chloride: a sustainable approach

One-bath dyeing and antibacterial finishing of cotton fabric using reactive dye as colorant and silver chloride (AgCl) as an antibacterial agent was conducted to streamline the process and enhance its economic efficiency. The effectiveness of the antibacterial agent in reactive dyeing of cotton fabric, was evaluated through exhaust method with 0.5% AgCl and continuous (pad dry cure) method with 5 g/l of AgCl, utilizing various dye concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% for exhaust; 1g/l, 3g/l, 5g/l for pad dry cure) according to a standard reactive dye recipe. Characterization of the one-bath dyed, and antibacterial finished cotton fabric was performed using K/S values to determine the optimal dye shade concentration and antibacterial activity was evaluated using agar diffusion method. It was observed that the exhaust method revealed an optimum dye concentration at (AgCl 0.5% and dye 5%), while pad dry cure method showedoptimal dye concentration at (AgCl 5g/l and dye 5g/l). Antibacterial tests were conducted on the optimal specimens from both methods (AgCl 0.5%, 0.2%, dye 0.5% for exhaust; dye 5g/l, AgCl 5g/l, 2g/l for pad dry cure), showcasing resistance against bacterial growth. While inhibition zones were observed on treated specimens of the exhaust method, whereas the treated specimens of the pad dry cure method exhibited complete resistance to bacterial growth around the specimen.

Marangoni flow-guided molecular accumulation for sensitive and rapid SERS detection of phthalates

Public attention has been emerging for the prevention and assessment of healthcare risks from phthalate esters (PAEs) in daily life. For the effective detection of small environmentally hazardous materials, we suggest two major points: i) the formation of high-density hotspots and ii) the delivery of molecules to the activated plasmonic regions. In this study, we developed a method for laser-induced Marangoni flow in cotton fabric (CF) nanopillars (NPs) deposited with Au (Au/CFNPs) for the detection of PAEs by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). We optimized the performance of the Au/CFNP platforms by adjusting both the maskless plasma etching time and the Au deposition thickness. Narrow (∼8 nm) and populated hotspots were achieved at an Ar plasma treatment time of 30 s and a Au thickness of 150 nm. The molecular behaviors were observed via real-time monitoring of SERS signals. Under continuous laser illumination, Marangoni radial convection flow became predominant over the outward capillary force, resulting in molecular accumulation in the detection areas. For small probe dyes and PAEs, the maximum intensities were achieved within 80 s after the injection of analytes and their signal fluctuations were estimated to have a relative standard deviation of < 10 %, which indicated sensitive and reproducible sensing. The prediction of PAEs extracted from the actual samples was investigated on the basis of a model used to quantitatively fit reference samples and the results were compared with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results demonstrated that the combination of densified hotspots on three-dimensional porous substrates and laser-induced Marangoni flow is highly desirable for on-site early screening assays for low-quantity harmful materials present in surrounding environments.

A dual wave structure triboelectric sensor for heart rate and exercise monitoring

Recently, research on wearable devices for physiological exercise monitoring has garnered significant attention. Here, we propose a dual wave-structured triboelectric nanogenerator (DW-TENG) integrated with a cotton cloth, developed for smart running applications. The DW-TENG sensor leverages a flexible wave triboelectric layer composed of polydimethylsiloxane and silicone, with a copper electrode layer between them for sensing. This structure allows for customizable pressure sensitivity by adjusting the silicone hardness. Experimental results show that the DW-TENG achieves a sensitivity of 0.4 V kPa−1, with response and recovery times of 75 and 90 ms, respectively. The sensor effectively measures heart rate changes during various physical activities, including walking, running, and jumping. Electrical performance tests reveal that the DW-TENG’s output is significantly influenced by the silicone hardness, operational frequency, and microstructure height. The DW-TENG sensor demonstrates high durability and stability, maintaining consistent voltage output over 40 000 cycles. This research highlights the potential of the DW-TENG in multifunctional physiological and physical activity monitoring, providing real-time data on respiratory patterns, heart rate, and movement dynamics, thus enhancing athletic training, performance assessment, and health monitoring.