Nonwoven Research Articles

Enhancing the Production of Eco-Friendly Silk Fabrics through the Application of Nonthermal Plasma Wettability Techniques.

The combination of the effects of nonthermal plasma using atmospheric pressure of plasma jet and the photocatalytic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was used to study the plasma flow modes, electrical characteristics, nonthermal characteristics, antimicrobial measurements, and surface modifications. Using different wettabilities of argon discharges in a laminar flow: (i) wet I, wettability with 2.4 slm argon mixture with oxygen ratio O2, equivalent to 15 mslm (Ar/O2), and (ii) wet II, wettability (Ar/O2) mixture combined with titanium dioxide, to accelerate the inactivation process on the nonwoven fabric surface. For wet 0, wet I, and wet II discharges, the average rate of heat transfer to the nonwoven silk fabric increased significantly. Specifically, it goes from 104.6 to 118.6 and then to 241.7 mW, respectively. The kinetic deactivation rate of Escherichia coli increases starting at 0.20, then going up to 0.32, and finally reaching 0.57 min-1. The increased wettability of the TiO2 photocatalyst results in an enhanced bactericidal rate, which is caused by both the heat impact from the nonthermal jet and potentially photocatalytic disinfection, leading to the generation of active species. The mechanical parameters owing to different wettabilities and plasma interactions with the fabric membrane were tested for the treated samples, such as stiffness, ultimate yield strength, tensile strength, strain, hardening, elongation, resilience, and toughness.

Fiber-in-Tube Electrifiable Structure for Virus Filtration Self-Generated Static Electricity by Vibration/Sound.

Fiber has been considered as an ideal material for virus insulation due to the readily available electrostatic adsorption. However, restricted by the electrostatic attenuation and filtration performance decline, their long-lasting applications are unable to satisfy the requirements of medical protective equipment for major medical and health emergencies such as global epidemics, which results in both a waste of resources and environmental pollution. We overcame these issues by constructing a fiber-in-tube structure, achieving the robust reusability of fibrous membranes. Core fibers within the hollow could form generators with tube walls of shell fibers to provide persistent, renewable static electricity via piezoelectricity and triboelectricity. The PM0.3 insulation efficiency achieved 98% even after 72 h of humidity and heat aging, through beating and acoustic waves, which is greatly improved compared with that of traditional nonwoven fabric (∼10% insulation). A mask spun with our fiber also has a low breathing resistance (differential pressure <24.4 Pa/cm2). We offer an approach to enrich multifunctional fiber for developing electrifiable filters, which make the fiber-in-tube filtration membrane able to durably maintain a higher level of protective performance to reduce the replacement and provide a new train of thought for the preparation of other high-performance protective products.

Extraction of γ-chitosan from insects and fabrication of PVA/γ-chitosan/kaolin nanofiber wound dressings with hemostatic properties

A nanofiber-based composite nonwoven fabric was fabricated for hemostatic wound dressing, integrating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), kaolin, and γ-chitosan extracted from three type of insects. The γ-chitosan extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis exhibited the highest yield at 21.5%, and demonstrated the highest moisture-binding capacity at 535.6%. In the fabrication process of PVA/kaolin/γ-chitosan nonwoven fabrics, an electrospinning technique with needle-less and mobile spinneret was utilized, producing nanofibers with average diameters ranging from 172 to 277 nm. The PVA/kaolin/γ-chitosan nonwoven fabrics demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility, with cell survival rates under certain compositions reaching up to 86.9% (compared to 74.2% for PVA). Furthermore, the optimized fabric compositions reduced blood coagulation time by approximately 2.5-fold compared to PVA alone, highlighting their efficacy in hemostasis. In other words, the produced PVA/kaolin/γ-chitosan nonwoven fabrics offer potential applications as hemostatic wound dressings with excellent biocompatibility and improved hemostatic performance.Graphical abstract

Influence of Needlepunch Loom Operation Time on Physicomechanical Properties of Nonwoven Fabric

Influence of Needlepunch Loom Operation Time on Physicomechanical Properties of Nonwoven Fabric

TiO2-Coated Meltblown Nonwoven Fabrics Prepared via Atomic Layer Deposition for the Inactivation of E. coli as a Model Photocatalytic Drinking Water Treatment System

The controlled manufacturing of semiconductor photocatalysts is crucial to their development for drinking water treatment. In this study, TiO2-coated meltblown nonwoven fabrics prepared via Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) are applied for the inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli). It is observed that in the presence of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) light source (255 nm), 1.35 log E. coli inactivation is achieved. However, exposure to catalyst-coated fabrics in addition to the light source resulted in &gt;4 log E. coli inactivation, suggesting a much higher rate of hydroxyl radical formation on the surface, leading to cell death.

Exploring the release mechanism of micro/nanoplastics from different layers of masks in water: towards reduction of plastic contamination in masks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial quantity of disposable face masks was discarded, consisting of three layers of nonwoven fabric. However, their improper disposal led to the release of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) when they ended up in aquatic environments. To analyze the release kinetics and size characteristics of these masks, release experiments were performed on commercially available disposable masks over a period of 7days and micro- and nanoplastic releases were detected using fiber counting and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The study's findings revealed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the quantity of MPs released among the layers of the masks. However, the quantity of NPs released from the middle layer of the mask was 25.9 ± 1.3 × 108 to 81.3 ± 5.3 × 108 particles/piece, significantly higher than the inner and outer layers (p < 0.05). The release process of micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) from each layer of the mask followed the Elovich equation and the power function equation, indicating that the release was divided into two stages. MPs in the range of 1-500µm and NPs in the range of 100-300nm dominated the release from each layer of the mask, accounting for an average of 93.81% and 67.52%, respectively. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to reduce the release of M/NPs from masks during subsequent use.

Deep Learning for Cell Migration in Nonwoven Materials and Evaluating Gene Transfer Effects following AAV6-ND4 Transduction.

Studying cell settlement in the three-dimensional structure of synthetic biomaterials over time is of great interest in research and clinical translation for the development of artificial tissues and organs. Tracking cells as physical objects improves our understanding of the processes of migration, homing, and cell division during colonisation of the artificial environment. In this study, the 3D environment had a direct effect on the behaviour of biological objects. Recently, deep learning-based algorithms have shown significant benefits for cell segmentation tasks and, furthermore, for biomaterial design optimisation. We analysed the primary LHON fibroblasts in an artificial 3D environment after adeno-associated virus transduction. Application of these tools to model cell homing in biomaterials and to monitor cell morphology, migration and proliferation indirectly demonstrated restoration of the normal cell phenotype after gene manipulation by AAV transduction. Following the 3Rs principles of reducing the use of living organisms in research, modeling the formation of tissues and organs by reconstructing the behaviour of different cell types on artificial materials facilitates drug testing, the study of inherited and inflammatory diseases, and wound healing. These studies on the composition and algorithms for creating biomaterials to model the formation of cell layers were inspired by the principles of biomimicry.

Transduction and Genome Editing of the Heart with Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors Loaded onto Electrospun Polydioxanone Nonwoven Fabrics.

In this study, we introduce electrospun polydioxanone (PDO) nonwoven fabrics as a platform for the delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for transduction and genome editing by adhering them to organ surfaces, including the heart. AAV vectors were loaded onto the PDO fabrics by soaking the fabrics in a solution containing AAV vectors. In vitro, the amount of AAV vectors loaded onto the fabrics could be adjusted by changing their concentration in the solution, and the number of cells expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) encoded by the AAV vectors increased in correlation with the increasing amount of loaded AAV vectors. In vivo, both transduction and genome editing resulted in the observation of GFP expression around AAV vector-loaded PDO fabrics attached to the surfaces of mouse hearts, indicating effective transduction and expression at the target site. These results demonstrate the great potential of electrospun PDO nonwoven fabrics carrying therapeutic AAV vectors for gene therapy.

Superamphophilic antimicrobial membrane engineered with zinc-coordinated metallo-polymeric framework nanocoating

The combat against contamination by trace amounts of water and bacteria in aviation fuel remains a challenge, necessitating a comprehensive strategy. Here, a superamphophilic antimicrobial membrane is developed by featuring a stable zinc-coordinated polydopamine metallo-polymeric framework (PDA/Zn) on the skeleton of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) non-woven fabric. The formation of the PDA/Zn framework is streamlined through dopamine polymerization synchronized with metallo-ion coordination. This work delves into the intrinsic stability and superamphiphilic properties of the PDA/Zn framework, as well as systematically investigates its performance in fuel dehydration and carbophilus elimination. The resulting membrane exhibits a high gravity-driven flux and achieves a significant reduction in water content to below 10 ppm in aviation fuel, attributed to a demulsification and aggregation mechanism. Furthermore, our findings highlight the nearly complete antibacterial multifunctionality of the proposed membrane. It effectively prevents bacterial attachment at the liquid-solid interface and brings about bacterial eradication through the presence of Zn2+ ions and the mechanical puncturing effect of nanostructure cusps. This work not only advances applications in water dehydration and bacterial elimination but also pioneers opportunities for designing advanced functional membranes with multifaceted functionalities, including anti-fouling, self-cleaning, and antimicrobial properties, setting the stage for broader applications in membrane field.

Solar-Driven Multistage Device Integrating Dropwise Condensation and Guided Water Transport for Efficient Freshwater and Salt Collection.

Interfacial solar vapor generation (ISVG) is an emerging technology to alleviate the global freshwater crisis. However, high-cost, low freshwater collection rate, and salt-blockage issues significantly hinder the practical application of solar-driven desalination devices based on ISVG. Herein, with a low-cost copper plate (CP), nonwoven fabric (NWF), and insulating ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA foam), a multistage device is elaborately fabricated for highly efficient simultaneous freshwater and salt collection. In the designed solar-driven device, a superhydrophobic copper plate (SH-CP) serves as the condensation layer, facilitating rapid mass and heat transfer through dropwise condensation. Moreover, the hydrophilic NWF is designed with rational hydrophobic zones and specific high-salinity solution outlets (Design-NWF) to act as the water evaporation layer and facilitate directional salt collection. As a result, the multistage evaporator with eight stages exhibits a high water collection rate of 2.25 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun irradiation. In addition, the desalination device based on the eight-stage evaporator obtains a water collection rate of 13.44 kg m-2 and a salt collection rate of 1.77 kg m-2 per day under natural irradiation. More importantly, it can maintain a steady production for 15 days without obvious performance decay. This bifunctional multistage device provides a feasible and efficient approach for simultaneous desalination and solute collection.

Preparation of hydrophobic spray-coated spunlace nonwoven fabrics: Possessing the potential for anti-adhesive medical dressings

Preparation of hydrophobic spray-coated spunlace nonwoven fabrics: Possessing the potential for anti-adhesive medical dressings

Optimization of an innovative hybrid approach ZnO-Doped PVP nanofibers for electrical devices applications

The solid solution of pure ZnO nanoparticles and doped Polyvinylepyrrolidone (PVP) green hybrid nanomaterial’s synthesized by using the electro spinning method. The synthetic polymer matrix nonwoven fibrous mats containing innovative properties are shown to shrink and encapsulated the zinc oxide materials to change the surface morphology when the concentration of PVP is increased from 1 % to 2 % dopants. The crystalline nature and morphological studies were examined by using x-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscope. The average crystallite sizes of easily formed ZnO nanoparticles and nanorods that are 21 nm and 62 nm respectively. Moreover, the electrical and optical properties of the fibrous mesh were determined by using electrical impedance analyzer. The electrical conductivity values were measured in the pure ZnO nanoparticles in contrast to the doped ZnO/PVP. The tangent loss, dielectric constant, capacitance and relaxation time values are revealed in this study. All the characterization has been carried out at room temperature. The relaxation time for 1 %, and 2 % ZnO/PVP is (0.8 ns) and (0.79 ns) respectively which is suitable for the application of trigger using devices. The overall findings of this study implemented in a wide range of technologies i.e. photonics, electronics and super capacitor devices etc.

Comparative study of tensile behavior in micro/nanofiber-enhanced epoxy nanocomposites featuring different textile structures

Recent advancements in nanofiber production technology have opened up exciting possibilities for highly sophisticated applications in nanofiber-based structures, particularly in the realm of nanofiber yarns. These yarns serve as fundamental components in various fabric designs, encompassing woven, knitted, braided, and nonwoven patterns. Additionally, these fabrics can serve as reinforcement in nanocomposites with a polymeric matrix. This study aims to investigate the reinforcing effect of micro/nanofibers in various fabric structures, such as nonwoven, woven, and knitted fabrics. Apart from depositing micro/nanofibers, we successfully manufactured a micro/nanofiber yarn made of polyamide-6. This was achieved by employing two nozzles equipped with opposite charges and flat-tipped needles. Furthermore, we created both woven and weft-knitted fabrics using this micro/nanofiber yarn. Subsequently, we utilized nonwoven, woven, and weft-knitted fabrics to reinforce epoxy resin. The results indicated that the nanocomposite reinforced with woven fabric in the warp direction, featuring a volume fraction of 12%, exhibited the highest Young’s modulus (7500 MPa, 5.47 times more compared to epoxy) and ultimate strength (112 MPa, 5.09 times more compared to epoxy). This study represents a pioneering step towards the development of nanofiber-based reinforcements with promising potential applications.

Deep eutectic supramolecular polymer functionalized MXene for enhancing mechanical properties, photothermal conversion, and bacterial inactivation of cellulose textiles

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides (Ti3C2Tx MXene) have gained significant attention for their potential in constructing diverse functional materials, However, MXene is easily oxidized and weakly bound to the cellulose matrix, which pose challenges in developing MXene-decorated non-woven fabric with strong bonding and stable thermal management properties. Herein, we successfully prepared deep eutectic supramolecular polymer (DESP) functionalized MXene to address these issues. MXene can be wrapped with DESP to be insulated from water and protected from being oxidized. Subsequently, we achieved an efficient in-situ deposition of DESP-functionalized MXene onto fibers through a combination of dip coating and photopolymerization technique. The resulting nonwoven fabric (CNs-DESP@M) exhibited excellent photothermal conversion properties along with rapid thermal response and functional stability. Interestingly, the interface bonding between MXene and the fiber surface was significantly enhanced due to the abundant pyrogallol groups in DESP, resulting in the composite textile exhibiting commendable mechanical properties (2.68 MPa). Moreover, the as-prepared textile demonstrates outstanding bactericidal efficacy against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The multifunctional textile, created through a facile and efficient approach, demonstrates remarkable potential for applications in smart textiles, catering to the diverse needs of individuals in the future.

Cellulosic Nonwovens Incorporated with Fully Utilized MXene Precursor as Smart Pressure Sensor and Multi‐Protection Materials

AbstractCurrently, multifunctional MXene‐integrated wearable textiles (MWTs) are particularly appealing due to their various applications such as health monitoring, smart protection, and medical treatment. However, scalable manufacture of durable, stable, and high‐performance multifunctional MWTs still face challenges due to the poor oxidation stability of MXene and low utilization of precursor titanium aluminum carbide (MAX). Herein, an improved preparation strategy for zinc ion (Zn2+) intercalation is proposed to create high antioxidative MXene (ZM) and exceptionally conductive and printable gel ink based on MXene sediments (ZMS‐ink), while multifunctional wearable textiles are fabricated using spray‐coating and screen‐printing techniques on cellulosic nonwoven textiles (CNWs), achieving the complete utilization of MXene precursor. Benefiting from the inherent disordered stacking and porous structure of CNWs, along with the highly conductive ZM and ZMS‐ink, as‐prepared smart, wearable and green‐based pressure sensor offered proper breathability, high sensitivity (2602.26 kPa−1), wide sensing range (0–141 kPa), and excellent cycling stability (&gt;5000 cycles). Additionally, the sensor exhibited efficient photothermal/photodynamic therapy antibacterial activity and exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding performance (57.5 dB). Therefore, this work paves the way for the future development of integrated and scalable multifunctional wearable devices building on the environmental‐friendly CNWs incorporated with fully utilized MAX, offering a green and cost‐effective approach.

Influence of non-woven antistatic substrate materials on polyvinylidene fluoride electrospun nanofibers: fabrication, characterization, and performance evaluation

Influence of non-woven antistatic substrate materials on polyvinylidene fluoride electrospun nanofibers: fabrication, characterization, and performance evaluation

Development of Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate Using Melt-blown Nonwoven Fabric Subjected to Electroless Ag Plating: A Basic Study

Development of Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate Using Melt-blown Nonwoven Fabric Subjected to Electroless Ag Plating: A Basic Study

Charge Protection in Electret Air Filtration Nonwoven Materials

AbstractNonwoven media used as electret air filters are often embedded with charges to improve particle capture efficiency. These charged filters are invariably exposed to low surface tension fluids such as oils and alcohols leading to charge loss. In this study, filtration media are endowed with charge protection through increased surface repellency using melt additives that can migrate to the surface during processing. Nonwovens containing fluorochemical melt additives are produced, and examined to determine the relationship between surface chemistry, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) repellency, resultant charge retention, and filtration characteristics. Surface fluorine/carbon (F/C) ratios of ≈0.2 are sufficient to protect filtration performance from vapor discharging methods. Samples with bulk additive loadings of 1.2% or higher are found to achieve the necessary repellency to resist discharging independent of the migration state of the sample, while samples loaded at the 0.6% level required sufficient migration to achieve the requisite F/C ratio of 0.2 in order to be protected. Samples that achieved the necessary surface chemistry to provide significant IPA repellency retained &gt; 80% of electret charge and corresponding filtration performance. These results have special significance in the design of filtration media relevant in global healthcare and other industrial settings.

Effect of Biodegradable Nonwoven Mulches from Natural and Renewable Sources on Lettuce Cultivation.

Numerous research showed that mulching with conventional agro foils elevates soil temperature and promotes plant growth, but negatively influences soil health and brings environmental concerns. Most of the published research on nonwoven mulches for plant cultivation includes nonwoven fabrics produced by extrusion processes providing nonwoven fabric structures similar to films. A limited number of studies investigate the impact of nonwoven mulches produced by a mechanical process on the cards and bonded by needling on plant cultivation. For this study, nonwoven mulches of mass per unit area of 400 g m-2 made from jute, hemp, viscose (CV), and polylactide (PLA) fibers were produced on the card bonded by needle punching. The field experiment was conducted two consecutive years in a row, in spring 2022 and 2023, by planting lettuce seedlings. The nonwoven mulches maintain lower temperatures and higher soil moisture levels compared to agro foil and the control field. The fibrous structure and their water absorption properties allow natural ventilation, regulating temperatures and retaining moisture of soil, consequently improving soil quality, lettuce yield, and quality. The fiber type from which the mulches were produced, influenced soil temperature and humidity, soil quality, and lettuce cultivation. The nonwoven mulches were successful in weed control concerning the weediness of the control field. Based on the obtained results, the newly produced mulches are likely to yield better results when used for the cultivation of vegetables with longer growing periods. Newly produced biodegradable nonwoven mulches could be an eco-friendly alternative to traditional agro foil, minimizing environmental harm during decomposition. The obtained results suggest that the newly produced mulches would be even more suitable for growing vegetables with longer growing seasons.

Effect of the molar mass of polyimide based on pyromellitic dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline on dielectric and mechanical properties of nonwoven oriented polyimide materials

AbstractThis work is dedicated to the development and investigation of the properties of low‐dielectric‐constant nonwoven materials obtained by electrospinning from a polyimide‐based polymer, PMDA‐ODA, which is composed of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA). The influence of the molar mass of PMDA‐ODA on the structural, mechanical, and dielectric properties of the resulting samples has been investigated. The molar mass of the polyimide has been determined through light scattering and viscosity measurements of polyamic acid solutions. As the molar mass of PMDA‐ODA increases from 13.400 to 49.300 g/mol, the glass transition temperature of the produced nonwoven samples increases, and their tensile mechanical properties are improved. The dielectric constant of PMDA‐ODA nonwoven polyimide materials varies from 1.55 to 1.91 at a temperature of 30°C in a frequency range from 1 Hz to 1 MHz, depending on the molar mass of the polymer used.