Nonwoven Research Articles

Optimization of sound absorption of recycled Nylon fibrous materials

A semi-empirical model for the assessment and an optimization procedure of the sound absorption coefficient of compressed nonwoven fibrous materials made from recycled Nylon fibers (RNF) is developed. In general, the prediction of the sound absorption properties of materials requires the measurement of non-acoustic parameters by specialized characterization tools that are not always within reach of most laboratories. The objective of the proposed model is to establish empirical relationships between these non-acoustic parameters and the bulk density of RNF materials. These empirical relationships are then substituted into a conventional acoustic model for porous materials, namely, the model of Johnson-Champoux-Allard. The proposed model accurately predicts the sound absorption coefficients of compressed RNF materials based solely on bulk density, thickness, and frequency. This prediction is validated through impedance tube measurements. Moreover, the model is used with a proposed optimization producedure to identify the ideal density and thickness for maximum sound absorption at a specific frequency. Impedance tube measurements on optimized configurations confirm the effectiveness of this optimization process.

Fluid Classification via the Dual Functionality of Moisture-Enabled Electricity Generation Enhanced by Deep Learning.

Classifications of fluids using miniaturized sensors are of substantial importance for various fields of application. Modified with functional nanomaterials, a moisture-enabled electricity generation (MEG) device can execute a dual-purpose operation as both a self-powered framework and a fluid detection platform. In this study, a novel intelligent self-sustained sensing approach was implemented by integrating MEG with deep learning in microfluidics. Following a multilayer design, the MEG device including three individual units for power generation/fluid classification was fabricated in this study by using nonwoven fabrics, hydroxylated carbon nanotubes, poly(vinyl alcohol)-mixed gels, and indium tin bismuth liquid alloy. A composite configuration utilizing hydrophobic microfluidic channels and hydrophilic porous substrates was conducive to self-regulation of the on-chip flow. As a generator, the MEG device was capable of maintaining a continuous and stable power output for at least 6 h. As a sensor, the on-chip units synchronously measured the voltage (V), current (C), and resistance (R) signals as functions of time, whose transitions were completed using relays. These signals can serve as straightforward indicators of a fluid presence, such as the distinctive "fingerprint". After normalization and Fourier transform of raw V/C/R signals, a lightweight deep learning model (wide-kernel deep convolutional neural network, WDCNN) was employed for classifying pure water, kiwifruit, clementine, and lemon juices. In particular, the accuracy of the sample distinction using the WDCNN model was 100% within 15 s. The proposed integration of MEG, microfluidics, and deep learning provides a novel paradigm for the development of sustainable intelligent environmental perception, as well as new prospects for innovations in analytical science and smart instruments.

Antibacterial nonwoven materials in medicine and healthcare.

Bacterial infection has always been a severe challenge for mankind. The use of antibacterial nonwoven materials provides a lot of convenience in daily life and clinical practice grammar revision, it has become an important solution to avoid bacterial infection in clinical and daily life. This review systematically examines the spin bonding, melt blown, hydroneedling and electrospinning methods of nonwoven fabrication materials, and summarizes the antibacterial nonwoven materials fabrication methods. Finally, the review discusses the applications of antibacterial nonwoven materials for medical protection, external medical and healthcare, external circulation medical care implantable medical and healthcare and intelligent protection and detection. This comprehensive overview aims to provide valuable insights for the advancement of antibacterial nonwoven materials in the domain of medicine and health care. In the future, antibacterial nonwoven materials are expected to evolve towards biodegradability, composite materials, functionalization, minimally invasive techniques, diversification, and intelligence, thereby holding immense potential in healthcare.

PE/PP fibrous adsorbents with bifunctional groups of tertiary amine and phosphate prepared by electron beam induced co-grafting for heavy metal adsorption of both cationic and anionic forms in acidic conditions.

A novel fabric adsorbent having bifunctional groups of tertiary amine and phosphate was prepared by co-graft polymerization of 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (NMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate phosphate (PMA) onto a polyethylene/polypropylene nonwoven fabric (PE/PP NF) under low-energy electron beam acceleration. The process involved pre-irradiating the fabric and immersing it in the comonomer solution for grafting. The kinetics of radiation-induced graft polymerization at a total dose of 100 kGy was investigated. For pre-irradiation at 100 kGy, the optimum condition offering highest degree of grafting was at 12 wt% of NMA, 8 wt% of PMA and 4 h of reaction time. The adsorption of anions using hydrogen chromate (HCrO4−) or Cr(VI) and cations using lead (Pb(II)), cadmium (Cd(II)) and copper (Cu(II)) in aqueous solution was carried out. The results demonstrated that the bifunctional adsorbent was able to adsorb both heavy metal anionic and cationic ions from water. The co-grafted adsorbents with tertiary amine and phosphate were able to adsorb 85% Cr(VI) anion and 29% Pb(II) cations from mixed Cr(VI) and Pb(II) solution at pH 3.0 and 71% Pb(II), 13% Cd(II) and 31 % Cu(II) from mixed Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) solution at pH 5.0. The unique achievement of this study is its hypothesis that a bifunctional adsorbent can be prepared from radiation-induced graft polymerization of two different monomers onto NF, along with proof that the prepared bifunctional adsorbent can actually absorb both cationic or anionic heavy metals forms. Additionally, the adsorbent's preparation offers a rapid and straightforward one-step grafting technique. Therefore, the new bifunctional adsorbents can remove heavy metal ions in aqueous solution, either in the cation or anion form, thus offering highly promising applications in industrial wastewater treatment.

AgNPs/CNTs modified nonwoven fabric for PET-based flexible interdigitated electrodes in pressure sensor applications

Intelligent wearable sensing technology plays a pivotal role in the era of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, especially for human–machine interaction, physiological monitoring, and intelligent robotics. However, achieving a wide sensing range, high sensitivity, and ultra-long durability in pressure sensors while maintaining a simple and cost-effective fabrication remains challenging. This study presents a novel pressure sensor using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified nonwoven fabric for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). A low-cost spray-coating method was employed to deposit AgNPs/CNTs onto nonwoven fabric as the sensing layer, which was then combined with PET-based IDEs and encapsulated using polyimide (PI) film. The resulting piezoresistive sensor exhibits an extensive sensing range up to 90 kPa, high sensitivity up to 20 kPa−1 within 0–2 kPa, rapid response/recovery times (48 ms/44 ms), and outstanding repeatability over 6000 cycles. It can be assembled into an electronic skin tactile sensor array for mapping tactile size and orientation, and integrated into clothing for real-time monitoring of physiological signals like pulse, heartbeat, and grasp force. This work proposes a novel approach for developing wearable, highly sensitive, and wide-ranging pressure sensors, showing potential for multifunctional applications in next-generation artificial electronic skin, personal health monitoring, intelligent robotics, and human–machine interaction

Development of a Novel ECTFE Melt-blown Nonwoven Material and Its Application in Oil-Water Separation

The removal of oil from water surfaces is crucial for protecting the environment and living organisms from the hazards posed by industrial oily wastewater and offshore oil spills. However, achieving enhanced mechanical robustness, corrosion resistance, and durability in oil-water separation membranes presents a significant challenge. In this study, poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene) (ECTFE) resin, a novel semicrystalline polymer material composed of alternating ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene molecules, was fabricated into melt-blown fabric (MB) by melt-blowing technology. By optimizing the side wind temperature, collector distance, roller speed, and hot air pressure, ECTFE MB with superior mechanical properties was established. Additionally, the obtained ECTFE MB exhibited excellent hydrophobicity with a water contact angle reaching 127.8°. The separation efficiency for various oil-water mixtures (oil phase including carbon tetrachloride, petroleum ether, dichloromethane, n-hexane, and isooctane) exceeded 99%. Furthermore, after 90 cycles of oil-water separation, ECTFE MB maintained high flux (72183.16 L m−2 h−1) and separation efficiency of 99.40% when carbon tetrachloride was used as oil phase. Notably, ECTFE MB demonstrated exceptional resistance to harsh environments, including strong acids, bases, and mild high temperature. The investigation of failure modes of ECTFE MB revealed that the primary failure mode of ECTFE MB was the disruption of the oil-water interface. The maximum water height that the ECTFE MB could withstand was 1376 mm. Consequently, ECTFE MB exhibit excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and cycling stability, indicating the potential application in the field of oil-water separation.

PRODUCTION AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF COIR PRODUCTS IN INDIA

The coir sector is an important agro-based industry in India that plays an important role in employment opportunities and economic development. India is the world's largest producer and exporter of coir and coir products, exporting coir and its products to more than a hundred countries. It is the by-product of coconut's outer shell, which is used to produce coir fiber, coir yarn, different mats, mating rugs, non-woven products, non-woven mats, coir geo-textiles, coir pith, garden articles, curled coir, needle felt, hand knotted netting, coir ply articles, coir braid, coir rope, coir tea leaf bags, coir brushes, lunch bags, office bags, chapels, pouches, and many more. It is a 100 percent natural and biodegradable product that helps to store water molecules in soil to improve its fertility. The aim of the study is to determine the trend in production of coir fiber and its products in India and to know the export performance of coir fiber and its products in India during the last ten years. According to the study release, there are good opportunities in the world market for the coir products. KEY WORDS: coir fiber, coir products, production, exports, value, countries etc.

Development of Technology for Providing Antimicrobial Properties to Medical Disposable Masks

Wearing masks to protect against communicable diseases is an effective tool used in many countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The antibacterial activity, antibacterial efficiency, microbial purity, and breathability properties of medical disposable masks are very important. Ag is most commonly applied to antimicrobial textiles. In this work, three antimicrobial additives were used. Four compositions of the binders with antimicrobial additives were prepared and applied to one-layer non-woven PP material. The influence of the binder antimicrobial polymer coating on the breathability and antibacterial activity of the non-woven PP material was evaluated. The results show that the composition of the polyacrylic acid binder had the least effect on their breathability and samples with the silver chloride formulation showed the best antimicrobial response. Based on the microbiological and air permeability results of the samples of the one-layer non-woven material with coating, the samples of two layers and three layers of the medical mask model were prepared. Microbiological studies have shown that a three-layered medical mask model with silver chloride composition in the middle layer, on both sides of the model, has antibacterial efficiency against three pathogens (E. Coli, K. Pneumoniae, and S. Aureus). The performance of this medical mask model has been found to meet the requirements for type I medical masks according to the EN 14863 standard. Studies have shown that the microbial purity of the mask model is CFU/g < 3.

Circular economy in action: Transforming textile waste into sustainable soil additives - Physicochemical properties and biodegradability

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in soil additives used in environmental ecosystems. Currently, most soil amendments are produced from synthetic materials. Some synthetic amendments break down into microplastics, which persist in the environment and can be ingested by soil organisms, affecting soil health and biodiversity and the chemicals they contain can leach into groundwater. At the same time, the number and availability of biodegradable technologies are limited, and the aspects related to their biodegradation in soil are not sufficiently known. The study developed a sustainable water-saving and vegetation-supporting technology in the form of a biodegradable water-absorbing geocomposite (BioWAG). BioWAGs were produced using biodegradable materials derived from animal and plant waste, such as waste wool, jute, and linen. In a three-year field experiment, their physicochemical properties in the soil were analysed. These were characterized using a.o. Surface weight, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and FTIR. The results indicate that the degree of biodegradation of materials used in BioWAG depended on the raw material and production technology. Needle-punched nonwovens underwent intensive biodegradation just 6 months after being buried in the soil, while stitched nonwovens retained their mechanical properties even for three growing seasons. In the case of seamed non-woven fabrics, a decrease in selected physical parameters was observed. The addition of wool-based soil additive, a decrease in surface mass was observed by 85% after 6 months, 88% after 18 months and 90% after 30 months. Regardless of the waste materials used, BioWAGs provided plants with continuous access to water and nutrients. The work indicates a sustainable method of managing textile waste and analyzes its properties in the soil, which enables the development of technologies based on natural fibers for applications such as geotextiles, mulches and controlled-release fertilizers. The technology was developed in line with the principles of a circular economy and can improve soil quality, mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce environmental pollution.

Study on the effect of structural parameters of a thermal liner on its thermal protective performance under radiant heat exposure

To comprehend the impact of elementary construction parameters of nonwoven thermal liners on their thermal protective performance, the current research primarily emphasizes on studying the effect of needle penetration depth and needle punch density of the thermal liner. Nonwoven fabrics with three different punch densities and three needling depths were prepared. The air permeability and thermal resistance of the thermal liner were investigated through regression analysis to determine the influence of needle penetration depth and needle punch density. It was observed that both factors had a notable impact on the air permeability and thermal resistance of the thermal liner. An increase in needle penetration depth and needle punch density resulted in a decrease in the air permeability and thermal resistance of the thermal liner. An experiment was carried out utilizing the 33 Box-Behnken designing approach; the factors employed were the radiant heat flux intensity, needle punch density, and needle penetration depth of the thermal liner. The thermal protective performance of thermal liners was measured at three discrete intensities of radiant heat exposures. To investigate the effect of the test and construction parameters and their interaction, an analysis of variance study was carried out. It was observed that protection time rises with the decrease in needling depth and needle punch density at every level of heat flux. With the rise in incident radiant heat flux, protection time declines, irrespective of needle penetration depth and punch density levels.

Inorganic–organic hybrid nonwoven fabrics with colorimetric detection capability for borate ions in aqueous solutions

Abstract A nonwoven fabric sheet with an immobilized colorimetric reagent was prepared to detect borate anions in aqueous media. The fabric comprised immobilized chromotropate and 1-butanesulfonate anions and chromotropate, as the colorimetric reagent, per anion exchange capacity of the layered double hydroxide. The resulting sheet quantitatively detected borate anions through photoluminescence measurements. Thus, it can be used for onsite quantitative analysis of dissolved boron in water, with promising potential for water quality monitoring and, consequently, sustainable and safe water resources globally.

Eco-Friendly Jute-Based Hybrid Nonwoven Fabric for Packaging Applications

Eco-Friendly Jute-Based Hybrid Nonwoven Fabric for Packaging Applications

An Innovative Approach to Enhance the Durability and Sustainability of Shoe Insoles

This study presents an innovative approach to designing a shoe insole with enhanced durability, sustainability, and antibacterial properties. Needle-punched non-woven recycled polyester fabrics with three different GSMs (100, 200, and 300) were developed. The composite shoe insole was developed using non-woven fabric laminated with a polyurethane sheet to enhance durability. The fabrics were treated with an antibacterial finish with three different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) and subjected to 5 and 10 washing cycles. The developed composites were evaluated against their relative hand value, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, antibacterial activity, and overall moisture management capability. Overall results reveal that the developed composite shoe insole is durable, sustainable, and presents no bacterial growth, demonstrating the insole’s hygienic effectiveness.

Assessment of Physical and Mechanical Parameters of Spun-Bond Nonwoven Fabric.

The selection of an appropriate fabric for technical applications, such as protective masks, hinges on a thorough understanding of the fabric's physical and mechanical properties. This study addresses the challenge of selecting the optimal material structure for the upper layer of a protective mask, aiming to ensure adequate breathability while providing effective filtration against airborne particles and contaminants. We assessed and compared the physical-mechanical properties of five polymer spun-bond nonwoven fabrics from different suppliers. Our comprehensive evaluation included, as follows: a visual inspection; light permeability analysis; mass and thickness measurements; elongation and tensile strength tests; breathing resistance assessments; and filter penetration tests with paraffin oil. The results revealed significant variations in performance among the samples, with one fabric consistently outperforming the others across multiple parameters. Notably, this top-performing fabric met or exceeded the EN 149:2001+A1:2009 standard for breathing resistance and filtration efficiency and, in combination with additional filter layers, met the requirements or exceeded class FFP2 (filtering face piece). This study underscores the importance of meticulous material selection and quality control in optimizing PPE (personal protective equipment) performance and user safety, providing valuable insights for mask manufacturers and healthcare professionals.

Improvement of Sound-Absorbing Wool Material by Laminating Permeable Nonwoven Fabric Sheet and Nonpermeable Membrane

Thin sound-absorbing materials are particularly desired in space-constrained applications, such as in the automotive industry. In this study, we theoretically analyzed the structure of relatively thin glass wool or polyester wool laminated with a nonpermeable polyethylene membrane and a permeable nonwoven fabric sheet. We also measured and compared the sound-absorption coefficients of these samples between experimental and theoretical values. The sound-absorption coefficient was derived using the transfer matrix method. The Rayleigh model was applied to describe the acoustic behavior of glass wool and nonwoven sheet, while the Miki model was used for polyester wool. Mathematical formulas were employed to model an air layer without damping and a vibrating membrane. These acoustic components were integrated into a transfer matrix framework to calculate the sound-absorption coefficient. The sound-absorption coefficients of glass wool and polyester wool were progressively enhanced by sequentially adding suitable nonwoven fabric and PE membranes. A sample approximately 10 mm thick, featuring permeable and nonpermeable membranes as outer layers of porous sound-absorbing material, achieved a sound-absorption coefficient equivalent to that of a sample occupying 20 mm thickness (10 mm of porous sound-absorbing material with a 10 mm back air layer).

Research on the Physical Properties of an Eco-Friendly Layered Geopolymer Composite

Building envelopes with natural fibers are the future of sustainable construction, combining ecology and energy efficiency. The geopolymer building envelope was reinforced with innovative composite bars and two types of natural insulation (coconut mats and flax/hemp non-woven fabrics) were used as the core material. A 10 mol sodium hydroxide solution with an aqueous sodium silicate solution was used for the alkaline activation of the geopolymers. The purpose of this study was to confirm the feasibility of producing geopolymer composites with insulating layers made of renewable materials, which would have compressive strengths like those of C25/30-grade concrete and thermal conductivity coefficients like those of lightweight concrete. This publication presents the results of physicochemical tests on the base materials (oxide (XRF) and mineral phase (XRD) analysis as well as morphology and EDS) and studies the physical (density measurements), mechanical (flexural and compressive strength tests) and insulating properties (thermal conductivity measurements) of the finished sandwich partitions. The composites achieved a flexural strength of 7 MPa, a compressive strength of up to 30 MPa and a decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient of about 60%. The research demonstrates contribution to sustainable construction by developing geopolymer composites, offering both structural integrity and superior thermal insulation. This innovation not only reduces reliance on traditional, carbon-intensive materials but also promotes the use of eco-friendly resources, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of construction. The integration of natural fibers into geopolymer matrices addresses key environmental concerns, advancing a rapidly growing field that aligns with global efforts toward energy efficiency, waste reduction, and circular economy principles in building design.

A Robust Core-Shell Nanofabric with Personal Protection, Health Monitoring and Physical Comfort for Smart Sportswear.

Smart textiles with a high level of personal protection, health monitoring, physical comfort, and wearing durability are highly demanded in clothing for harsh application scenarios, such as modern sportswear. However, seamlessly integrating such a smart clothing system has been a long-sought but challenging goal. Herein, based on coaxial electrospinning techniques, a smart non-woven textile (Smart-NT) integrated with high impact resistance is developed, multisensory functions, and radiative cooling effects. This Smart-NT is comprised of core-shell nanofibers with an ionic conductive polymer sheath and an impact-stiffening polymer core. The soft smart textile, with a thickness of only 800µm, can attenuate over 60% of impact force, sense pressure stimulus with sensitivity up to 201.5 kPa-1, achieve temperature sensing resolution of 0.1°C, and reduce skin temperature by ≈17°C under a solar intensity of 1kWm-2. In addition, the stretchable Smart-NT is highly durable and robust, retaining its multifunction features over 10000 bending and multiple washing cycles. Finally, application scenarios are demonstrated for real-time health monitoring, body protection, and physical comfort of smart sportswear based on Smart-NT for outdoor sports. The strategy opens a new avenue for seamless integration of smart clothing systems.

Biowaste rice husk derived cellulosic hydrogel incorporating industrial cotton waste nonwoven for wound dressing

Bio-wastes are organic materials achieved through biological sources. The rice crop produces a substantial amount of biowaste in the form of rice husk, which is rich in cellulose. In this research, cellulose was extracted from rice husk by alkalization and bleaching process. The rice husk extracted cellulose was further used to develop cellulose hydrogel by using the sol-gel technique. The nonwoven fabric of industrial cotton waste was developed in three different GSM (50, 100, and 150). The nonwoven fabric was incorporated in the cellulose hydrogel having three different concentrations (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) to develop the hydrogel non-woven cotton fabric composite for sustainable wound dressing applications. Moreover, prepared rice husk extracted cellulose hydrogel loaded with AgNO3 (0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 %) for achieving antibacterial characteristics. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to confirm the existence of cellulose hydrogel layers within the cotton nonwoven composite. The developed hydrogel S12 exhibited a maximum fluid absorbency of 1281.84 % with a tensile strength of 28.6 N and elongation of 40.96 %. The results show successful rice husk extracted cellulose hydrogel formation, exhibiting structural stability, excellent exudate absorbency and moisture management, antimicrobial efficacy, and sustainability.

3D melt blowing of Elastollan thermoplastic polyurethane for tissue engineering applications: A pilot study

Scaffolds, in addition to being biocompatible, should possess structural and mechanical properties similar to the natural tissues they intend to replace. Many tissue engineering applications require porous 3D scaffolds characterized by unique microfibrous organization and mechanical anisotropy. Manufacturing process principles and process parameter-biomaterial interactions ultimately govern the properties that can be achieved in the scaffold. In this study, we investigate a recently developed nonwoven scaffold fabrication process, 3D melt blowing (3DMB), for processing Elastollan®, a thermoplastic polyurethane with basic mechanical properties suitable for musculoskeletal tissue engineering. The range of feasible processing parameters was screened and the effects of two sets of critical process parameters (fiber deposition offset and surface velocity of the collector) that produced contrasting scaffold morphologies were assessed. Results showed that scaffolds of Group B that were fabricated at the higher fiber deposition offset (90 %) and higher surface velocity of the collector (6 × 105 mm/min) possessed significantly smaller fiber diameter and higher porosity and degree of fiber alignment along the principal direction of collector rotation during 3DMB (all p < 0.05) compared to Group A scaffolds (fabricated at 50 % offset and 1 × 105 mm/min surface velocity). Although both groups possessed similar tensile stiffness, the elongation at failure was significantly different (p < 0.0001). The higher elongation at failure of Group B correlated with the higher degree of fiber alignment in these scaffolds. In contrast, the more isotropic fibrous organization of Group A contributed to their higher compressive stiffness (p = 0.004). The introduction of NaOH treatment to improve hydrophilicity of the scaffolds resulted in a significant reduction of tensile stiffness of Group A (p < 0.05) but not Group B. This treatment did not significantly affect the elongation at failure or compressive stiffness of both groups. With NaOH-treatment, both groups demonstrated good biocompatibility when seeded with fibroblast cells over 14 days. This study confirms the ability to fabricate via 3DMB, biocompatible, micro-fibrous, Elastollan scaffolds relevant for musculoskeletal tissue engineering.

Promising Nonwoven Materials Based on Heat-Resistant Fibers for Thermal Protection

Promising Nonwoven Materials Based on Heat-Resistant Fibers for Thermal Protection