Textile Coatings Research Articles

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.

Exploration of Stimuli‐Responsive, Elastin‐Based Coatings for Textiles

Exploration of Stimuli‐Responsive, Elastin‐Based Coatings for Textiles

PDMS-Based Hierarchical Superhydrophobic Fabric Coating Fabricated by Thermal Treatment and Electrostatic Flocking Technology.

Superhydrophobic coatings have broad applications in a variety of industries. By using a low-surface-energy material and creating nanoscale roughness, a superhydrophobic surface can be produced. To overcome the health and environmental concerns of fluorine-based materials and the limitations of large-scale rough microstructure fabrication, a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based hierarchical superhydrophobic fabric coating prepared by simple thermal treatment and electrostatic flocking technology was introduced in this study. High-temperature thermal treatment is employed to create PDMS nanoparticle-decorated carbon fibers, which are further vertically implanted onto the surface of cotton fabric via electrostatic flocking technology. The environmentally friendly PDMS nanoparticles were adopted as low-surface-energy materials, and the electrostatic flocking technology was utilized to generate a vertically aligned carbon fiber array coating, mimicking a lotus leaf-like superhydrophobic surface microstructure. Therefore, an ultrahigh water contact angle of 173.9 ± 2.8° and a low sliding angle of 1 ± 0.5° can be obtained by the fabric coating with a PDMS-to-carbon fiber ratio of 20:1. The prepared superhydrophobic fabric also exhibits an excellent self-cleaning property and great durability after 60 cycles of washing. Through commercially available thermal treatment and electrostatic flocking processes, this strategy for fabricating fluorine-free superhydrophobic fabric can be easily scaled up for commercial manufacturing and promotes the design of superhydrophobic coatings for other substrates.

Micro- and Nanoplastics Produced from Textile Finishes: A Review.

The problem of increasing plastic pollution has emerged as a significant societal issue. Plastics can originate from various sources, and there is growing concern among researchers to study and investigate this new category of pollution. The plastic waste is found at the macro, micro, and nanoscale, and its study has had great significance according to the perspective of posing hazardous impacts on living organisms. Given the high demand for functional textiles, the textile industries are supporting the coating of different polymeric based finishes on the surface of textile products. The plastic debris emitted from these coated finishes are in the ranges of nanometric scale, so-called polymeric nanoplastics (PNPs). With the new terminology, polymeric nanoplastics (PNPs) released from textile finishes or coatings are being increasingly mentioned, and the term fibrous microplastics (FMPs) can be seen as outdated. This study is based on an intensive review of a very novel category of debris plastics (PNPs) mostly produced from textile finishes or coatings. In fact, FMPs and PNPs released from synthetic textiles and textiles coated with plastic-based finishes during washing activities are considered to be a major cause that contributes to the current overall load of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. A link between the concentration of NPs from textile fibers and NPs from textile polymeric-based coatings in freshwater and sediments within a particular local setting and the extent of activities of the textile industry has been demonstrated. Invested efforts have been paid to consider and concentrate on plastic pollution (nanoplastics from textile polymeric coatings). We also summarize existing methodologies to elucidate the identification and proactive quantification of nanoplastics shed from the textile polymeric coatings. To this end, more than 40 studies have been done to identify the physical, chemical, and mechanical parameters and to characterize nanoplastics.

Design of Biodegradable PU Textile Coating.

Polyurethane (PU) coatings are used in diverse applications such as textile coating. Up to today, landfilling is still the most occurring way of processing PU waste. Biodegradation is an alternative route for processing PU waste and decreases the amount of microplastics in the case of landfilling. In this study, a biodegradable PU textile coating was developed. The PU was characterized via Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The PU was thermoplastic and had a melting point of approximately 33 °C. The performance of the coating was studied by assessing the water barrier and mechanical properties. The PU coating completely disintegrated, and the biodegradation of PU was assessed in soil and was almost 60%. Furthermore, the plant toxicity was examined by evaluating seedling emergence and growth.

Development of antibacterial and hydrophobic PVDF@ZnO coating on cotton fabrics by electrospinning method

Products with antimicrobial properties enhance personal comfort and hygiene by preventing bacterial infections. In this work, we developed an antibacterial and hydrophobic coating by combining zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) through the electrospinning method, aiming for an enhanced cotton surface for textile applications. Initially, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized and integrated uniformly within the PVDF, characterized by various analytical techniques. This study highlights the coating's remarkable antibacterial activity, evidenced by a significant inhibition zone diameter of 18 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and its enhanced hydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 136°. Additionally, it was found that the Higuchi model could describe the diffusion release of ZnO from the PVDF coating. The obtained result allows us to conclude that applying the electrospinning method to fabric coatings opens new avenues in the design of functional textiles, particularly antibacterial ones, as proved in this paper.

The challenge of cellulose nitrate-coated fabrics: molecular characterization of celluloid detachable collars and Fabrikoid

In the 19th century, significant linen and leather imitation products were invented using cellulose nitrate-coated fabrics, including celluloid detachable collars and Fabrikoid artificial leather, now preserved in the Hagley Museum and Library, USA. Using optical microscopy, µRaman, and µFourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopies, this study highlights the need for characterizing the heterogeneity of these materials at the microscale. While the detachable collars have well-preserved fabric coatings composed of cellulose nitrate, camphor, anatase (TiO2), and carbon-based particles, Fabrikoid’s pigmented cellulose nitrate-castor oil systems show problems. Our molecular data align with a 1922 report on Fabrikoid degradation, revealing free fatty acids and carboxylates formed due to oil oxidation. This is concerning as these materials were used until the 1960s, demonstrated by the analysis of objects from the National Museum of Costumes in Portugal. Future studies should address the compatibility of cellulose nitrate with fatty acids and the reactivity of additives in these systems.

A roadmap towards safe and sustainable by design nanotechnology: Implementation for nano-silver-based antimicrobial textile coatings production by ASINA project

This report demonstrates a case study within the ASINA project, aimed at instantiating a roadmap with quantitative metrics for Safe(r) and (more) Sustainable by Design (SSbD) options. We begin with a description of ASINA’s methodology across the product lifecycle, outlining the quantitative elements within: Physical-Chemical Features (PCFs), Key Decision Factors (KDFs), and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Subsequently, we delve in a proposed decision support tool for implementing the SSbD objectives across various dimensions—functionality, cost, environment, and human health safety—within a broader European context. We then provide an overview of the technical processes involved, including design rationales, experimental procedures, and tools/models developed within ASINA in delivering nano-silver-based antimicrobial textile coatings. The result is pragmatic, actionable metrics intended to be estimated and assessed in future SSbD applications and to be adopted in a common SSbD roadmap aligned with the EU’s Green Deal objectives. The methodological approach is transparently and thoroughly described to inform similar projects through the integration of KPIs into SSbD and foster data-driven decision-making. Specific results and project data are beyond this work’s scope, which is to demonstrate the ASINA roadmap and thus foster SSbD-oriented innovation in nanotechnology.

The Highly Durable Antibacterial Gel-like Coatings for Textiles.

Hospital-acquired infections are considered a priority for public health systems since they pose a significant burden for society. High-touch surfaces of healthcare centers, including textiles, provide a suitable environment for pathogenic bacteria to grow, necessitating incorporating effective antibacterial agents into textiles. This paper introduces a highly durable antibacterial gel-like solution, Silver Shell™ finish, which contains chitosan-bound silver chloride microparticles. The study investigates the coating's environmental impact, health risks, and durability during repeated washing. The structure of the Silver Shell™ finish was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The TEM images showed a core-shell structure, with chitosan forming a protective shell around groupings of silver microparticles. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrated the uniform deposition of Silver Shell™ on the surfaces of the fabrics. AATCC Test Method 100 was employed to quantitatively analyze the antibacterial properties of the fabrics coated with silver microparticles. Two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), were used in this study. The antibacterial results showed that after 75 wash cycles, a 100% reduction for both S. aureus and E. coli in the coated samples using crosslinking agents was observed. The coated samples without a crosslinking agent exhibited 99.88% and 99.81% reductions for S. aureus and E. coli after 50 washing cycles. To compare the antibacterial properties toward non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains of the same species, MG1655 model E. coli strain (ATCC 29213) and a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate were used. The results showed the antibacterial efficiency of the Silver ShellTM solution (up to 99.99% reduction) coated on cotton fabric. AATCC-147 was performed to investigate the coated samples' leaching properties and the crosslinking agent's effects against S. aureus and E. coli. All coated samples demonstrated remarkable antibacterial efficacy, even after 75 wash cycles. The crosslinking agent facilitated durable attachment between the silver microparticles and cotton substrate, minimizing the release of particles from the fabrics. Color measurements were conducted to assess the color differences resulting from the coating process. The results indicated fixation values of 44%, 32%, and 28% following 25, 50, and 75 washing cycles, respectively.

Facile Fabrication of Highly Efficient Chitosan-Based Multifunctional Coating for Cotton Fabrics with Excellent Flame-Retardant and Antibacterial Properties.

Interest in the development of eco-friendly, sustainable, and convenient bio-based coatings to enhance flame retardancy and antibacterial properties in cotton fabrics is growing. In this work, chitosan was protonated at its amino groups using a method with a high atom economy using an equimolar amount of amino trimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP), resulting in the fabrication of a single-component chitosan-based multifunctional coating (ATMP-CS), thereby avoiding any additional neutralization or purification steps. Cotton fabrics coated with various loads of ATMP-CS were prepared through a padding-drying-curing process. The morphology, thermal stability, mechanical properties, antibacterial properties, flame-retardant behavior, and flame-retardant mechanism of these fabrics were investigated. The coating exhibited excellent film-forming properties, and it imparted a uniform protective layer onto the surfaces of the cotton fabrics. When the load capacity reached 11.5%, the coated fabrics achieved a limiting oxygen index of 29.7% and successfully passed the VFT test. Moreover, the ATMP-CS coating demonstrated antibacterial rates against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reaching 95.1% and 99.9%, respectively. This work presents a straightforward and gentle approach to fabricating colorless, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient fabric coatings that have potential applications in promoting the use of bio-based materials.

Bio-based epoxy resin/carbon nanotube coatings applied on cotton fabrics for smart wearable systems

Electroactive coatings for smart wearable textiles based on a furan bio-epoxy monomer (BOMF) crosslinked with isophorone diamine (IPD) and additivated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reported herein. The effect of BOMF/IPD molar ratio on the curing reaction, as well as on the properties of the crosslinked resins was first assessed, and it was found that 1.5:1 BOMF/IPD molar ratio provided higher heat of reaction, glass transition temperature, and mechanical performance. The resin was then modified with CNT to prepare electrically conductive nanocomposite films, which exhibited conductivity values increased by eight orders of magnitude upon addition of 5 phr of CNTs. The epoxy/CNT nanocomposites were finally applied as coatings onto a cotton fabric to develop electrically conductive, hydrophobic and breathable textiles. Notably, the integration of CNTs imparted efficient and reversible electrothermal behavior to the cotton fabric, showcasing its potential application in smart and comfortable wearable electronic devices.

Recent advances in nanobased flame-retardant coatings for textile fabrics

Textiles constitute a large percentage of the market due to its advantages such as being comfortable, available, diverse and easy to use, but because of its easier ignition and its thermal instability that hinder its use and that lead to a harmful effect on the environment and people. Thus, flame retardant materials have to incorporate on the textile fabrics as coating nanocomposites on their surface during finishing process or post-modification for integrating fire safety of textile fabrics. Hence, in this minireview brief classification of flame retardants based on nano-dimension for textile fabrics and their retardation actions are reviewed and discussed. Recent advances in nanoscale-based flame-retardant coatings for different textile fabrics were studied; the nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanosheets based flame retardants nanocoatings were investigated. The influence of flame retardants nanocoatings in other textile fabrics features such as antibacterial, tensile strength and conductivity were also highlighted. Additionally, synergistic flame retardancy effect of different nanomaterials with other ingredients are also studied. Moreover, the commonly flame retardancy actions for green flame retardants nanocoatings for textile fabrics were discussed. Moreover, future prospects for improving the fire safety for textile fabrics were summarized.

Structure-property relationship of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes/polydimethylsiloxane superhydrophobic coatings for cotton fabrics

Cotton fabrics are extensively utilized in daily life due to striking advantages such as softness, breathability, skin-friendliness, and cheapness. However, they are susceptible to being contaminated owing to inherent amphiphilicity, severely affecting service lifespan and aesthetic perception. To address this issue, three distinct types of the POSS/PDMS composite coatings are explored, and applied to cotton fabrics, respectively. Subsequently, the correlations between structures of POSS and properties of the composite coatings on the modified cotton fabrics are discussed. The results show that the three types of the POSS/PDMS composite coatings impart the modified fabrics with robust superhydrophobicity even in harsh environments including mechanical damage, chemical corrosion and UV-irradiation. Notably, the damaged POSS/PDMS composite coatings on cotton fabrics can exhibit excellent superhydrophobic self-healing capability by simple heating. Meanwhile, the modified fabrics also show excellent performances in self-cleaning, anti-fouling, anti-icing and oil-water separation applications. Additionally, due to multifunctional groups of MTPOSS, the cotton fabric treated by the MTPOSS/PDMS composite coating exhibits more excellent thermal, mechanical, and UV protection properties without significantly compromising its air permeability as compared to those of the other coated cotton fabrics. This work will pave the way to exploitation and applications of novel multifunctional textiles.

Synthesis, Characterization and Chemical Attachment of Fragrance Releasing Microcapsules on Cotton

The review provides an overview of research findings on microencapsulation for functional textile coatings. The Essential Oils of Clove oil, Sandalwood Oil and Cinnamon Oil is widely used as a raw material for fragrances with volatile active compounds at room temperature. It is easily affected by environmental changes and this problem can be solved by microencapsulation using coacervation methods to protect active compounds. The Essential Oils was encapsulated as coating material with 1,3,5-trichlorotriazine as the crosslinking agent. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of the composition of polymers and the mass of Essential oils on encapsulation characteristics. The resulting microcapsules were analysed using, fragrance loaded microcapsules, Anti-Bacterial Activity and digital microscope of SEM encapsulation efficiency. The result showed that microcapsules have an irregular shape with a textured surface.

Antimicrobial Activity of Green Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles (CuNPs) Using Aqueous Extract of <i>Psidium guajava</i> on Clinical Bacteria Isolates

The eco-friendly synthesis of nanoparticles using an aqueous plant extract as a capping and stabilizing agent has garnered substantial attention, particularly in pharmaceuticals and drug delivery applications. This study focused on utilizing copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) as a precursor to synthesize copper nanoparticles at both pH 4-5 and pH 8, with Psidium guajava (leaves and fruits) extract playing a crucial role. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified four major functional groups at distinct peaks, confirming their responsibility for capping and stabilizing the synthesized P.g-CuNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical shapes with an average particle size range of 20-30 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the presence of pure copper (Cu) at 54.15%. The antimicrobial study demonstrated that P.g-CuNPs synthesized at pH 4-5 exhibited complete growth inhibition of all tested bacterial strains at varying concentrations. Furthermore, serially diluted P.g-CuNPs (pH 5) inhibited Salmonella spp, E. coli, and Streptococcus spp at 100 μg/mL, while P.g-CuNPs (pH 8) only inhibited E. coli at the same concentration. Notably, acid-based synthesized P.g-CuNPs exhibited higher efficacy in the antimicrobial study compared to their alkaline-based counterparts. This study suggests the potential biomedical applications of P.g-CuNPs, including therapeutic drugs for microbial infectious diseases, integration into textile coatings, and nanocapsulation for food storage to extend shelf life.

Characterization of conductive particle dispersion in textile coatings through Joule’s effect monitoring analysis

Achieving proper dispersion of pigments, dyes, or other additives, such as microcapsules or nanoparticles, within printing pastes or textile coatings is crucial for obtaining a homogeneous result. In certain specialized applications, such as coloration technology, it is possible to use colorimetry tools, visual examination, and even artificial vision to identify defects. However, none of these techniques comprehensively map the specific additive distribution. This paper proposes a novel approach: monitoring the distribution of conductive particles (graphene nanoplatelets, referred to as GNPs) within an acrylic coating paste using the Joule’s effect. Four different dispersion systems (ultrasound mixer, blender, toroidal agitation, and three-roll mill) are employed. Thermographic images provide an accurate view of how conductive particles are distributed. This complements data from numerical values, such as the maximum and average temperatures recorded for each sample. In certain cases, relying solely on numerical values can be inadequate or insufficient, hence the novelty of this article emphasizing the significance of using the Joule’s effect to assess the distribution of conductive particles. Concerning the mixing systems, optimal dispersion of GNPs in distilled water is most effectively achieved using an ultrasound mixer, with enhanced uniformity as dispersion time increases. For mixing the components of the coating paste, the toroidal agitation method yields the best result. Employing the three-roll mill is discouraged for this application due to its propensity to induce phase separation.

Antibacterial Textile Coating Armoured with Aggregation-Induced Emission Photosensitisers to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections.

In the quest to curtail the spread of healthcare-associated infections, this work showcases the fabrication of a cutting-edge antibacterial textile coating armoured with aggregation-induced emission photosensitisers (AIE PS) to prevent bacterial colonisation on textiles. The adopted methodology includes a multi-step process using plasma polymerisation and subsequent integration of AIE PS on their surface. The antibacterial effectiveness of the coating was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus after light irradiation for 1 h. Furthermore, antibacterial mechanistic studies revealed their ability to generate reactive oxygen species that can damage bacterial cell membrane integrity. The results of this investigation can be used to develop ground-breaking explanations for infection deterrence, principally in situations where hospital fabrics play a critical part in the transmission of diseases. The antibacterial coating for textiles developed in this study holds great promise as an efficient strategy to promote public health and reduce the danger of bacterial diseases through regular contact with fabrics.

Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles for Fabric Coating and its Antibacterial Activities

Conceptually, the present work leads to the synthesis of magnesium nanoparticles (MgO NPs) using pomegranate (Punica granatum L) rind extract for antibacterial fabric coating. The antibacterial performance of MgO NPs on cotton, polyester and blend wool types of fabric was evaluated towards three species of gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus epidermidis, Brevibacterium linens and Cutibacteriumacnes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the successful of sol-gel synthesis process with the presence of flavonoid compounds in MgO NPs solution. The breaking load test was run for all fabric samples, while for tearing strength test, it was carried out only for cotton and polyester fabrics. Air permeability test device was used to determine the air permeability of all fabric samples to ensure the ventilation of the fabrics after coating process. The MgO NPs produced from sol-gel synthesis method established a good antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria in all types of fabric samples.

Assessing the Efficiency of Antimicrobial Plant Extracts from Artemisia afra and Eucalyptus globulus as Coatings for Textiles.

This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activities of plant extracts from Artemisia afra and Eucalyptus globulus when used as coatings for textiles. A pulsed ultrasound-assisted extraction method (PUAE) was employed to obtain methanolic and hexanoic extracts from both plants. Eucalyptus globulus methanol extraction exhibited the highest yield at 22.76% (±0.61%), while Artemisia afra demonstrated lower yields. Phytochemical screening identified various secondary metabolites in the extracts, including phenols, quinones, and steroids. Antimicrobial tests against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli revealed varying degrees of susceptibility, with Eucalyptus globulus hexanoic extracts showing the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus at an average percentage growth of 18.74% (±0.26%). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for the extracts, but complete inhibition did not occur at concentrations below 500 μg/mL. The extracts exhibited varying effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth, with some extracts promoting bacterial growth. Coating textiles with Eucalyptus globulus methanolic extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with the highest zone of inhibition observed in cotton-coated samples (258.4 mm2). Polyester-coated samples exhibited smaller inhibition zones, with the lowest observed in Eucalyptus globulus methanolic extract coating (65.97 mm2). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed visible surface morphology changes in coated fabrics, depicting fine, cluster, lumpy, flaky, and fragment-like morphologies. Laundering effects on coated fabrics were investigated, showing a significant decrease in antimicrobial activity after washing. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified functional groups in the extracts associated with antimicrobial properties. The complexity of the bioactive compounds suggests potential antimicrobial efficacy, resting on factors such as geographical location, climate, and extraction methods. Notwithstanding the limitations, this study contributes valuable insights into the use of plant extracts as antimicrobial coatings for textiles.

Bioinspired phenol-based coatings for medical fabrics against antimicrobial resistance

Multi-resistant pathogens can cause several nosocomial infections that can harm hospital interventions or undermine biological processes. In this scenario, the development of novel and efficient antimicrobial materials is essential for reducing pathogen spread. Though many approaches have been followed with this aim, scalability, safety, and efficiency concerns still hamper their clinical transfer. In this work, we overcome these limitations by co-polymerizing phenolic derivatives with amino-terminal ligands. The resulting coatings are successfully applied to woven and non-woven-based materials used in healthcare: paper, cotton and polypropylene. Moreover, the coatings demonstrate multi-pathway antimicrobial activity against six bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, E. faecalis, and B. subtilis) and two fungi (C. albicans and C. auris), a fact attributed to i) reactive oxygen species generation over time and ii) protic amino groups exposed on the surface. After 180 min, viable bacteria are reduced by more than 99.9 %, with a comparable decline in fungi after 24 h. As a proof-of-concept, coated commercial band-aids tested on skin ex vivo reduced bacterial growth by about 90 %. Considering these results and long-lasting, in vitro biocompatibility, scalability and eco-friendly technology, these coatings represent a promising alternative to be applied in healthcare environments, avoiding pathogen spread, infections and antimicrobial resistance.