Nonwoven Substrate Research Articles

Elucidating Ion Transport Phenomena in Sulfide/Polymer Composite Electrolytes for Practical Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are emerging as a safer, higher-energy alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, driven by the demand for advanced energy storage solutions. Despite the potential of inorganic/polymer composite solid-state electrolytes (CSEs) to enhance SSB performance, the mechanisms of ion transport in these systems remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate these mechanisms by exploring the formation of bi-percolating ion channels and ion conduction at the interfaces between inorganic and polymer electrolytes in CSEs.We selected a model CSE composed of argyrodite-type Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) and a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) containing a Li+-glyme complex for ion conduction and a crosslinked ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (ETPTA) polymer for structural support. Our findings reveal that the percolation threshold of the LPSCl phase within the CSE is significantly influenced by the elasticity of the GPE phase. Moreover, by modulating the solvation/desolvation dynamics of the Li+-glyme complex within the GPE, we achieved enhanced ion conduction across the LPSCl-GPE interface.The optimized CSE, incorporating a balance of material chemistry and composition, was integrated with an aramid nonwoven porous substrate to achieve scalability and flexibility in manufacturing. The resultant CSE, with dimensions of 8 × 6 (cm × cm) and a thickness of approximately 40 μm, was paired with a high-mass-loading LiNi0.7Co0.15Mn0.15O2 cathode and a graphite anode to construct an SSB full cell. This assembly, characterized by a bi-cell configuration and a negative (N)/positive (P) capacity ratio of 1.1, exhibited a remarkable volumetric energy density of 480 Wh Lcell -1 and stable cyclability at 25 °C.This study not only advances our understanding of ion transport phenomena in CSEs but also presents a pragmatic approach to the design and fabrication of SSBs with superior performance metrics. By integrating insights into ion channel formation and interfacial conduction with innovative materials engineering, we present a scalable and effective strategy for the development of high-performance SSBs. This research underscores the critical role of CSE design in overcoming the limitations associated with both inorganic and polymer electrolytes, paving the way for the next generation of energy storage technologies. Figure 1

Electrospun biomass polyethylene furanoate nonwoven substrates for flexible thermoelectric generators

Polyethylene furanoate (PEF) stands out as a highly promising biopolymer, characterized by its lower melting point and higher flexibility than those of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Moreover, the enhanced functionality of PEF broadens its potential applications across various domains. Herein, the synergistic integration of PEF with a polymer thermoelectric layer is explored via the formulation of advanced environmentally sustainable materials for prospective utilization in flexible thermoelectric generators for the emerging field of green energy. The fabrication process involves the creation of PEF nonwoven via the electrospinning technique, thereby endowing the PEF with considerable stretchability. Concurrently, the polymer thermoelectric layer is developed by blending dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and d-sorbitol in a poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solution, followed by drop-casting PEDOT:PSS onto glass substrates. Subsequently, free-standing PEDOT:PSS films are transposed onto PEF nonwoven substrates with a power factor of 17.84 μW m⁻1 K⁻2 and an elongation of 24 % at breaking point. The intimate compatibility between the PEDOT:PSS film and PEF nonwoven substrate is demonstrated by the cyclic bending test results, wherein over 90 % of the original conductivity is maintained after 1000 cycles, thereby highlighting the potential of the developed device as a thermoelectric generator. Finally, a 12-leg thermoelectric generator is fabricated, yielding an output voltage of 3.63 mV and an output power of 34.52 nW under a temperature gradient of 32.3 K.

Spray-assisted layer-by-layer deposition of quaternized chitosan/tannic acid for the construction of multifunctional bio-based nonwoven dressings

Gauze wound dressings have received considerable attention due to their cost-effectiveness, excellent mechanical properties, and widespread applications. However, their inability to actively combat microorganisms and effectively scavenge free radicals results in suboptimal wound management. In this study, a novel nonwoven-based gauze dressing coated with quaternized chitosan/tannic acid (QCS/TA), based on electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding, was successfully prepared using a spray-assisted layer-by-layer assembly method. The bio-based nonwoven dressing, assembled with multiple interlacing bilayers, demonstrated outstanding antimicrobial properties, eliminating 99.99 % of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 85 % of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Compared to the pristine nonwoven dressing, the QCS/TA-coated nonwoven dressing scavenged >85 % of the surrounding radicals within 2 h. Additionally, the nonwoven dressing exhibits excellent coagulation properties. Notably, the facile spraying procedure preserved most of the softness and breathability of the nonwoven substrate. After the deposition of seven bilayers, the bending stiffness and drape coefficient increased by only 37.63 % and 3.85 %, respectively, while the air permeability and moisture permeability reached 1712 mm/s and 3683.58 g/m2/d, respectively. This bio-based nonwoven dressing, derived from safe and non-toxic ingredients, holds promise as the next generation of multifunctional gauze dressings.

An asymmetric super-wetting Janus PVDF oil-water separation membrane fabricated by a simple method on a non-woven substrate

Membrane separation technology is an important method of treating oily wastewater with great potential for development. However, preparation of membranes for efficiently separating complex oil-water mixtures continues to be challenging. In this study, a strategy for efficient construction of asymmetric wetting surfaces was designed, and successfully prepared an asymmetric super wetting Janus polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) modified separation membrane to separate complex oil-water emulsion. The composite PVDF membrane was prepared using a non-woven fabric substrate and phase conversion method. Subsequently, composite membrane was rapidly hydrophilic modified on one side using tannic acid and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane under the strong oxidizing effect of oxidant sodium periodate. Then non-woven fabric substrate was peeled off to obtain a Janus PVDF modified separation membrane. The front and back sides of the separation membrane have highly asymmetric micromorphology and wettability. The front side has hydrophilic/underwater oleophobic wettability (with a water contact angle of 31°). The separation efficiency of oil-in-water emulsion is up to 99.5%, while the back side has super lipophilic/underoil hydrophobic wettability (with a water contact angle of 131°). The separation efficiency of water-in-oil emulsion is up to 98.6%, improving the efficiency of oil in water separation and application range.

3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified MXene on three-dimensional nonwoven fiber substrates for low-cost, stable, and efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination

Recently, the solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination has attracted more and more attentions due to the advantages of low cost, zero energy consumption, and high water purification rate, etc. One of the bottlenecks of this emerging technique lies in a lack of simple and low-cost ways to construct three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical microstructures for photothermal membranes. To this end, a two-step strategy is carried out by combining surface functionalization with substrate engineering. Firstly, a silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) is grafted onto an ideal photothermal material of Ti3C2Tx MXene, to improve the nanochannel sizes and hydrophilicity, which are attributed to enlarged interspaces of MXene and introduced hydrophilic group e.g., –NH2 and –OH, respectively. Secondly, a low-cost and robust nonwoven fiber (NWF) substrate, which has a 3D micron-sized mesh structure with interlaced fiber stacks, is employed as the skeleton to load enough APTES-grafted MXene by a simple soaking method. Benefited from above design, the Ti3C2Tx-APTES/NWF composite membrane with a 3D hierarchical structure shows enhanced light scattering and utilization, water transport and vapor escape. A remarkable evaporation rate of 1.457 kg m−2 h−1 and an evaporation efficiency of 91.48 % are attained for a large-area (5 × 5 cm2) evaporator, and the evaporation rate is further increased to 1.672 kg m−2 h−1 for a small-area (2 × 2 cm2) device. The rejection rates of salt ions and heavy metal ions are higher than 99 % and 99.99 %, respectively, and the removal rates of organic dye molecules are nearly to 100 %. Besides, the composite photothermal membrane exhibits great stabilities in harsh conditions such as high salinities, long cycling, large light intensities, strong acid/alkali environments, and mechanical bending. Most importantly, the photothermal membrane shows a considerable cost-effectiveness of 89.4 g h−1/$. Hence, this study might promote the commercialization of solar-driven interfacial evaporation desalination by collaboratively considering surface modification and substrate engineering for MXene.

A flexible self-cleaning/antibacterial PVDF/T-ZnO fabric based on piezo-photocatalytic coupling effect for smart mask

A novel flexible composite fabric has been engineered by combining piezoelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and tetrapod zinc oxide (T-ZnO) nanostructures, which are integrated onto a nonwoven fabric substrate. This fabric exhibits a wide array of functionalities, notably self-cleaning and antibacterial properties, facilitated by the synergistic piezo-photocatalytic coupling effect. Through the utilization of the piezoelectric effect inherent in PVDF/T-ZnO in tandem with the photocatalytic attributes of T-ZnO nanostructures, the fabric achieves concurrent degradation of organic pollutants and antibacterial efficacy when exposed to mechanical vibration and solar irradiation. The piezo-photocatalytic coupling effect engenders an internal electric field that aids in the effective separation of photo-generated carriers (electrons and holes), thereby diminishing recombination rates and augmenting the efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation process. Notably, organic pollutants such as methylene blue and azithromycin exhibit degradation levels of 96.0% and 92.6%, respectively, within a timeframe of 25 and 60 min. The incorporation of PVDF/T-ZnO results in an approximate 40% enhancement in the degradation rate of organic substances compared to the use of T-ZnO in isolation. Furthermore, the composite fabric showcases exceptional antibacterial efficacy, effectively inhibiting the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus. Experimental findings reveal that the average antibacterial zone diameter of the PVDF/T-ZnO fabric measures at 7.68 mm, significantly surpassing that of the T-ZnO fabric and nonwoven fabric. Given its remarkable self-cleaning and antibacterial attributes, the PVDF/T-ZnO fabric exhibits substantial potential for diverse applications, including the development of intelligent masks tailored for deployment in healthcare settings and polluted environments.

A Coalescing Filter for Liquid-Liquid Separation and Multistage Extraction in Continuous-Flow Chemistry.

Presented here is the design and performance of a coalescing liquid-liquid filter, based on low-cost and readily available meltblown nonwoven substrates for separation of immiscible phases. The performance of the coalescer was determined across three broad classes of fluid mixtures: (i) immiscible organic/aqueous systems, (ii) a surfactant laden organic/aqueous system with modification of the type of emulsion and interfacial surface tension through the addition of sodium chloride, and (iii) a water-acetone/toluene system. The first two classes demonstrated good performance of the equipment in effecting separation, including the separation of a complex emulsion system for which a membrane separator, operating through transport of a preferentially wetting fluid through the membrane, failed entirely. The third system was used to demonstrate the performance of the separator within a multistage liquid-liquid counterflow extraction system. The performance, robust nature, and scalability of coalescing filters should mean that this approach is routinely considered for liquid-liquid separations and extractions within the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Wearable T – Shaped Metamaterial Microstrip Patch Antenna with Split Ring Resonators for Wi-Fi Applications

This paper presents the design of a T-shaped metamaterial microstrip patch antenna integrated with split ring resonators, tailored for IEEE 802.11a Wi-Fi applications. The antenna utilizes a non-woven polypropylene geotextile substrate, measuring 1.9 mm thick with a dielectric constant of 2.2, while the copper sheet thickness is 0.1 mm. Performance metrics such as reflection coefficient, antenna gain, and VSWR are evaluated. Simulated results show a reflection coefficient of -21 dB at 5 GHz, which closely matches the measured value of -22 dB. VSWR values of 1.5 and 1.3 are obtained through simulation and measurement respectively. Additionally, SAR analysis indicates suitability for wearable applications, with the SAR value exceeding 10 grams of tissue falling within acceptable limits.

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

Electrospun PCL Filtration Membranes Enhanced with an Electrosprayed Lignin Coating to Control Wettability and Anti-Bacterial Properties.

This study reports on the two-step manufacturing process of a filtration media obtained by first electrospinning a layer of polycaprolactone (PCL) non-woven fibers onto a paper filter backing and subsequently coating it by electrospraying with a second layer made of pure acidolysis lignin. The manufacturing of pure lignin coatings by solution electrospraying represents a novel development that requires fine control of the underlying electrodynamic processing. The effect of increasing deposition time on the lignin coating was investigated for electrospray time from 2.5 min to 120 min. Microstructural and physical characterization included SEM, surface roughness analysis, porosity tests, permeability tests by a Gurley densometer, ATR-FTIR analysis, and contact angle measurements vs. both water and oil. The results indicate that, from a functional viewpoint, such a natural coating endowed the membrane with an amphiphilic behavior that enabled modulating the nature of the bare PCL non-woven substrate. Accordingly, the intrinsic hydrophobic behavior of bare PCL electrospun fibers could be reduced, with a marked decrease already for a thin coating of less than 50 nm. Instead, the wettability of PCL vs. apolar liquids was altered in a less predictable manner, i.e., producing an initial increase of the oil contact angles (OCA) for thin lignin coating, followed by a steady decrease in OCA for higher densities of deposited lignin. To highlight the effect of the lignin type on the results, two grades of oak (AL-OA) of the Quercus cerris L. species and eucalyptus (AL-EU) of the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh species were compared throughout the investigation. All grades of lignin yielded coatings with measurable antibacterial properties, which were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, yielding superior results for AL-EU. Remarkably, the lignin coatings did not change overall porosity but smoothed the surface roughness and allowed modulating air permeability, which is relevant for filtration applications. The findings are relevant for applications of this abundant biopolymer not only for filtration but also in biotechnology, health, packaging, and circular economy applications in general, where the reuse of such natural byproducts also brings a fundamental demanufacturing advantage.

Innovative mushroom-like hemp-based evaporators enhanced by biochar for efficient seawater desalination

Inadequate access to clean water and wasteful resource consumption during production pose significant challenges in global development. To combat these issues, interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) has emerged as an energy-efficient solution to mitigate the ongoing water scarcity crisis. However, the application of ISSG is hindered by high costs and intricate fabrication processes associated with synthetic functional materials. In response, this study introduces an innovative approach that repurposes abundant by-products generated from hemp fiber production. Hemp fiber noil are transformed into a nonwoven fabric substrate, onto which hemp stem-derived biochar is seamlessly integrated using a straightforward spray-coating technique, establishing an efficient solar-to-heat conversion evaporator. Leveraging the durability of hemp fibers, this system achieves an impressive seawater evaporation rate of 1.47 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun condition, making it highly competitive in seawater desalination research. This pioneering strategy combines waste green materials and their functional counterparts, unlocking practical applications, addressing resource scarcity, and mitigating environmental pollution. This research highlights the potential of sustainable material utilization to tackle pressing global challenges.

Synthesis, morphology and electrical property characteristics of MXene based titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) coating on non-woven cotton paper

In the present study, Ti3C2Tx type MXene was prepared by selective etching of Al from Ti3AlC2 with mesh size of 200. The powder form of raw material was used to fabricate Ti3C2Tx by in-situ HF etching method. The MXene is further coated on non-woven paper by simply dip coating method. The detailed structural, morphology and elemental content study of as prepared Ti3C2Tx MXene have demonstrated. The MXene (Ti3AlC2) powders show compact, layered morphology as expected for bulk layered ternary carbide. The detailed elemental analysis has carried out for Titanium carbide based MXene coated and uncoated woven paper. The lower conducting property obtained for paper coating due less amount of coating in the surface of paper instead of coating on glass substrate. The electrical property characterization of MXene coated non-woven paper and glass substrate have also been studied. Hence, the conductive coating of MXene-in water formulation achieved through simple dip coating methods is promising for low cost sensor, wearable shielding device fabrication towards renewable energy and healthcare applications.

Innovative flexible thermal storage textile using nanocomposite shape-stabilized phase change materials

A novel flexible thermal storage system based on organic phase change materials (PCMs) deposited on a non-woven polyester (PET) substrate is described in this article. Thermally regulating effects were created via encapsulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to manufacture a shape-stable phase change material (SSPCM). Improvement in the thermal conductivity (TC) of the system was obtained by incorporating reduced graphite oxide nanoparticles (rGONP) into the CNFs. A new method was applied to load and secure the manufactured SSPCMs on the fibrous substrate so that an acceptable level of flexibility was preserved (change in bending length less than 30%). The sample performance was evaluated by measuring its thermal properties. The physical properties, wash fastness, abrasion resistance, morphology, and PCM leakage of the samples were also assessed. The results point to a good thermal storage ability of the samples with characteristic phase change temperature ranges of 30.1–31.4 °C and 19.2–24.3 °C for melting and freezing, respectively, and a latent heat of 8.9–22.9 J g−1 for meting and 11.2–21.4 J g−1 for freezing. The use of the CNF-rGONP for PEG enhanced the TC of the system by 454%, thus providing a rapid thermal response, and efficiently prevented the leakage of PEG. Finally, the loading and fixation method on the non-woven substrate allowed an acceptable level of durability with less than 4% of weight loss during washing and abrasion tests. This system provides a promising solution for rapid response, flexible thermal storage wearables.

Biopolymer- and Natural Fiber-Based Biomimetic Tissues to Realize Smart Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals Using an Innovative Approach.

More sustainable and smart cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals are necessary due to the ecological transition. In this study, a pullulan-based water solution containing chitin nanofibril-nano-lignin (CN-LG) complexes that encapsulate fish collagen polypeptide, allantoin and nicotinamide was electrospun onto a nonwoven substrate made of bamboo fibers to obtain a smart nanostructured bilayer system for releasing active molecules onto the skin or other body tissues. Infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the composition of the bilayer system before and after rapid washing of the sample with distilled water and liquids mimicking physiological fluids. The viability of keratinocytes was studied as well as the antioxidant activity, protective activity towards UV light, metalloproteinase release of aged fibroblasts and the inhibitor activity against collagen degradation. Immunomodulatory tests were performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the bilayer system as well as its indirect antimicrobial activity. The results indicate that the bilayer system can be used in the production of innovative sustainable cosmeceuticals. In general, the adopted strategy can be extended to several smart treatments for fast release that can be commercialized as solid products, thus avoiding the use of preservatives and water.

Twistable and tailorable Cu-doped SnO2@PANI textile for wearable ammonia sensing

Herein, a twistable and tailorable NH3 sensor utilizing hollow porous Cu-doped SnO2@PANI (PCS) composite was assembled on a flexible non-woven fabric substrate by in-situ polymerization technique and its gas sensing performance was tested at room temperature (∼25 °C). The results indicated that the well-designed PCS sensor to 50 ppm NH3 exhibited six times higher response (25.4) than the pristine PANI sensor (4.5). The PCS flexible sensor still possessed a response (1.53) for 10 ppb NH3, and the detection limit could reach 5.2 ppb for NH3. Meanwhile, the PCS flexible sensor demonstrated excellent flexibility with response decreases of only 1.97 % after 1000 times bending (120°), and 2.11 % after 100 times folding (150°) and long-term stability through 42 days of monitoring (maintaining 98.4 % response). Furthermore, the PCS sensor displayed insensitivity to relative humidity (20 % − 75 % RH), and the low sensing temperature could reach − 15 °C. The enhanced sensing performance of the PCS sensor was attributed to the synergistic effect of the vital role of abundant oxygen vacancy and − OH groups, as well as the hollow porous interconnected structure and the p-n heterojunction between Cu-doped SnO2 and PANI. This work provides more opportunities to design smart wearable devices for detecting ppb-level NH3 at room temperature.

Flexible high-output hydrovoltaic devices modified with AgInZnS nanoparticles for humidity sensing

The rapid development of wireless sensor networks has led to the increasing demand for continuous energy with power consumption, which brings much attention to various energy conversion devices. Here, we demonstrate a hydrovoltaic device based on non-woven flexible substrates that significantly improved their output performance by introducing AgInZnS nanoparticles. The device has excellent electrical output performance (a drop of water can produce a voltage of approximately 0.75 V and a current of 4.2 μA for more than 12 min) and humidity sensing capability. Benefiting from the ultra-high zeta potential of the AgInZnS nanoparticles and the excellent flexibility of the non-woven substrate, the device still has a steady-state output capacity of 0.6 V at a bending angle of 60°. When the external ambient humidity changes, the device has a fast response speed of 2.4 s and can achieve skin proximity sensing and respiration monitoring. The device demonstrates the improvement in output performance with the introduction of quantum dots of hydrovoltaic nanogenerators and its potential for humidity sensing.

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-induced 3D crosslinked network constructed on polyphenylene sulfide nonwoven as a battery separator: Effect of generation number on cell performance

High power lithium-ion batteries put forward challenges for separator in terms of meeting high current density, safety as well as superior cycling stability. In this study, Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer-introduced three-dimensional (3D) crosslinked coating layer is built on polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) nonwoven substrate to address above issues and the generation number effect are discussed thoroughly. Due to unique advantages of PAMAM dendrimer including its hydrophilicity to electrolyte, embedding effect of internal cavities, and spherical steric structure, the porosity, ionic conductivity, interfacial compatible as well as lithium-ion transference number are improved for the crosslinked composite separator especially at higher generation number, which endow battery with superior discharge capacity of 162.5 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and outstanding C-rate capabilities. Moreover, through the adjustment of generation number, less crosslinking junctions but more crosslinking points at one junction can be achieved in PAMAM-induced 3D crosslinked structures, thus leading to the improvement of all mechanical properties concurrently. This behavior can shift the oxidative decomposition potential to 5.36 V and give superior cell performance retention (98.6%) even after 100 cycles for battery using the fourth generation PAMAM. Therefore, this study will provide a new route for separator when pursuing higher rate performance and cyclic stability.

High Efficiency Antibacterial, Moisture Permeable, and Low Temperature Comfortable Janus Nanofiber Membranes for High Performance Air Filters and Respiration Monitoring Sensors

AbstractIn this work, high efficiency and multifunctional poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐ethylene) nanofiber, Ag particle, and polypropylene (PP) meltblown nonwoven substrate composite (NF@Ag) air filters by a simple spray coating method and subsequent UV irradiation treatment are demonstrated. The water vapor transmission rate of the NF@Ag‐4 air filter is 4753.36 ± 316.75 g/(m2 d), which is higher than that of commercial PP nonwoven (4240.71 ± 354.36 g/(m2 d)). It is can be explained that the NF@Ag‐4 air filter is a Janus structure with asymmetric wettability, which enhances moisture permeability, thereby improving comfort while wearing. The NF@Ag‐2 air filter exhibits high filtration efficiency (95.80 ± 0.89%) and relatively low pressure drop (122.00 ± 1.73 Pa) without relying on the electrostatic adsorption effect. The resulting NF@Ag air filters display excellent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, photothermal disinfection, and thermal insulation performance. Furthermore, the as‐prepared NF@Ag air filters can be simply patterned and designed as respiration monitoring sensors to precisely detect the respiratory activity and health of the human being. Therefore, it is believed that these multifunctional air filters will have good potential for applications in the removal of particular matters and breathable wearable electronic devices.

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles-deposited fabrics as a potential candidate for the development of reusable facemasks and evaluation of their performance

Recently, wearing facemasks in public has been raised due to the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic worldwide. However, the performance and effectiveness of many existing products have raised significant concerns among people and professionals. Therefore, greater attempts have been focused recently to increase the efficacy of these products scientifically and industrially. In this respect, doping or impregnating facemask fabrics with metallic substances or nanoparticles like silver nanoparticles has been proposed. So, in the present study, we aimed to sonochemically coat silver nanoparticles on the non-woven Spunbond substrates at different sonication times and concentrations to develop antibacterial and antiviral facemask. The coated substrates were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-Ray, X-ray diffraction, and Thermogravimetry analysis. The amount of silver released from the coated substrates was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The filtration efficiency, pressure drop, and electrical conductivity of the coated samples were also investigated. The antibacterial activity of fabrics was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Cellular viability of samples assessed by MTT and brine shrimp lethality tests. The results revealed that the higher sonication times and precursor concentrations result in a higher and more stable coating, larger particle size, wider particle size distribution, and lower content of released silver. Coated fabrics also revealed enhanced filtration efficiency (against nanosize particles), desired pressure drop, and antibacterial activity without significant cytotoxicity toward HEK 293 cells and Artemia nauplii. As a result, the coated fabrics could find potential applications in the development of facemasks for protection against different pathogenic entities.

Carbon nanomaterials staked with nonwoven (EG/PAN/CQDs) composite as a counter electrode for enhanced photons and photocatalytic efficiency

Prior studies on heavy metal heterojunction with carbon nanomaterials for dye-sensitized solar cells (D-SSCs) found that they were not only toxic but also had poor stability and led to a difficult synthesis. In this work, nanomaterials with flexible nonwoven sheets were employed to improve cell efficiency and were easily synthesized with high stability, durability, washability, and flexibility. By incorporating carbon quantum dots (CQDs) into the anode and counter electrodes, it is possible to boost photon efficiency by scattering the sunlight and turning a huge amount into current density. Here in this research, Textile carbon–based flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (TC-DSSC) with N-doped CQDs may significantly increase solar cell efficiency. Carbon-based nanoparticles stacked with textile apparel (nonwoven bamboo) sheets enabled the desired flexible end applications to be achieved. The prepared material significantly increased solar cell efficiency to 11.26% compared to 8.04% of the one without CQDs. Carbon-based nanomaterials are stacked with textile apparel (nonwoven bamboo) sheets to make them lightweight, highly flexible, wearable, and user-friendly. Furthermore, compared to pure expanded graphite on the nonwoven substrate, a single electrode incorporating CQDs offered low impedance and high current/voltage. On the other hand, when tested for photocatalytic activity using spectrophotometry, the proposed counter electrode made of expanded graphite, PAN, and CQDs loaded on nonwoven material completely degraded the methylene blue dye in a very short period of time. The N-CQDs may prove to be very stable with outstanding washing endurance anchored with expanded graphite layered on a nonwoven medium with an optimum thickness.