Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabrics Research Articles

Iron-Based Oxides Anchored on the Catechol/Silane-Coated Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabrics for Effective Removal of Anionic Dyes

Iron-Based Oxides Anchored on the Catechol/Silane-Coated Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabrics for Effective Removal of Anionic Dyes

Fabrication of pore-filling cation-exchange membrane from waste polystyrene and Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond (SMS) non-woven polypropylene fabric as the substrate

Commercial ion-exchange membranes are typically thick, possessing limited mechanical strength, and have relatively high fabrication costs. In this study, we utilize a three-layer polypropylene fabric known as Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond (SMS) as the substrate. This choice ensures that the resulting membrane exhibits high strength and low thickness. SMS substrates with various area densities, including 14.5, 15, 17, 20, 25, and 30 g/m2, were coated with different concentrations of waste polystyrene solution (ranging from 5 × 104 to 9 × 104 mg/l) before undergoing sulfonation using concentrated sulfuric acid. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the membrane were characterized and compared with those of commercial Neosepta CMX and Nafion-117 cation-exchange membranes. Remarkably, the fabricated membrane exhibited good performance compared to commercial ones. The cation-exchange capacity (2.76 meq/g) and tensile strength (37.15 MPa) were higher, and the electrical resistance (3.603Ω) and the thickness (130 μm) were lower than the commercial membranes.

Cationic polymer coating that rapidly inactivates bacteria and resists bacterial adhesion

AbstractAmphiphilic cationic polymers mimicking the membrane‐disrupting mechanism of natural antimicrobial peptides displays high‐efficacy bactericidal activity and meanwhile good biocompatibility, while electrostatic adsorption enables bacteria to adhere to substrate surfaces, effectively lowering the antimicrobial effect, so it is worthwhile to tackle the problem of bacterial adhesion to prolong its antibacterial activity. Herein, a kind of polyquaternium latex (PQL) was synthesized to coat polypropylene nonwoven fabrics (PPNFs) with bacterial repellency and rapid biocidal activity toward both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Compared with polyquaternium solution coatings, latex coatings provided PPNFs with unique microscopic morphology and surface chemistry rich in polyoxyethylene moieties, achieving better resistance to bacterial adhesion, and meanwhile PQL coated PPNFs also delivered 99% killing rates against both bacteria within 2 min. After exposure to ultrasonic cleaning for 4 h, PQL modified PPNFs still demonstrated good bactericidal activity. Moreover, they also displayed low cytotoxicity. This work provides guidance for the design of antibacterial and antiadhesion coatings to combat bacterial infection.

Plasma-induced Polymerization and Grafting of Acrylic Acid on the Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabric Using Pulsed Underwater Diaphragm Electrical Discharge

Polypropylene (PP) nonwovens are used in many hygiene, healthcare and medical products due to their low cost, high chemical resistance and inertness. From an economic point of view, PP textiles would be used as an excellent support material in regenerative medicine or tissue engineering, but here surface functionalization is necessary to ensure cell adhesion and proliferation. Acrylic acid (AAc) is an excellent source of carboxylic-rich (-COOH) coatings suitable for this purpose, but their multistep preparation is time-consuming. Plasma polymerization provides an excellent solution to this demanding procedure since the process of polymerization and grafting to the substrate takes place simultaneously. Here, we propose a relatively fast and effective method for AAc plasma polymerization by using a pulsed underwater diaphragm electrical discharge operated in an aqueous solution consisting of AAc. AAc layers are successfully grafted onto PP nonwovens, which are continuously rewound through the slit where the plasma is generated. The presence of plasma polymerized AAc layer in the fibrous structure of PP nonwoven was monitored by SEM, FTIR and XPS measurements. Additionally, the improved wettability and adhesion characteristics were investigated by the critical wetting surface tension (CWST) method, the standard method of strike-through time (STT) and „tape-peel“ test. Resulting AAc modified PP nonwoven possesses hydrophilic character, enhanced adhesion and a considerable amount of -COOH groups on the surface. Although after the washing test the FTIR and XPS results indicated a lower concentration of the carboxylic groups, the CWST and STT measurements confirmed the stable hydrophilic character of the PP nonwovens surface.

Investigation of antibacterial property of functionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabrics by S–N Co-doped nano-TiO2 films

This study focused on the antibacterial and ultraviolet protection properties of the functionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabrics (PPNWF). Sulfur and nitrogen co-doped titanium dioxide (S–N–TiO2) sol was synthesized by sol–gel method and S–N–TiO2 films were coated on the surface of PPNWF with impregnating method. The tensile strength, mass per unit area, thickness, whiteness, and glossiness of the prepared simples were investigated. The ultraviolet protection properties of the samples were assessed by ultraviolet transmittance spectrum and Ultraviolet Protection Facto. The results show that ultraviolet protection properties, tensile strength, and mass per unit area of the functionalized fabrics increase whereas its whiteness and glossiness decrease. The structural analysis and chemical composition of S–N–TiO2 were made by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which indicate the successful doping of S and N into TiO2. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy show that S–N–TiO2 nano-films have been well dispersed on the surface of the PPNWF, which is beneficial to the ultraviolet protection property and antibacterial activity of the samples. The antibacterial activities were evaluated by shake flask method. It is found that the S–N–TiO2 nano-films coated PPNWF (S–N–TiO2/PPNWF) exhibit excellent antibacterial activities against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antibacterial rate of 96.8% and 98.4% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. After 50 cycles of consecutive laundering, the antibacterial rates remain over 85.48% and 84.4% for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. It indicates that the antibacterial performance of the S–N–TiO2/PPNWF fabrics is also durable.

Revealing the characteristics of biofilms on different polypropylene plastic products: Comparison between disposable masks and takeaway boxes

The increasingly severe plastic pollution issue was intensified by the enormous plastic emissions into ecosystems during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plastic wastes entering the environment were swiftly exposed to microorganisms and colonized by biofilms, and the plastic-biofilm combined effects further influenced the ecosystem. However, the non-woven structure of disposable masks discarded carelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic was different from those of plastics with flat surface. To reveal the potential effects of plastic structure on colonized biofilms, white disposable surgical masks (DM) and transparent takeaway boxes (TB), both made of polyethylene, were selected for the incubation of organic conditioning films and biofilms. The results indicated that the non-woven structure of disposable mask was destroyed by the influence of water infiltration and biofilm colonization. The influence of surface structure on conditioning films led to a relatively higher proportion of tryptophan-like substances on DM than those on TB samples. Therefore, biofilms with significantly higher microbial biomass and carbon metabolic capacity were formed on DM than those on TB samples owing to the combined effects of their differences in surface structure and conditioning films. Moreover, abundant functional microorganisms associated with stress tolerance, carbon metabolism and biofilm formation were observed in biofilms on disposable mask. Combining with the results of partial least squares regression analysis, the selective colonization of functional microorganisms on disposable masks with uneven surface longitudinal fluctuation was revealed. Although the predicted functions of biofilms on disposable masks and takeaway boxes showed more similarity to each other than to those of free-living aquatic microorganisms owing to the existence of the plastisphere, biofilms on disposable masks may potentially trigger environmental risks different from those of takeaway boxes by unique carbon metabolism and abundant biomass.

Superwetting Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabrics Modified by a Catechol-Based Biomimetic Strategy for Oil/Water Separation

Superwetting Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabrics Modified by a Catechol-Based Biomimetic Strategy for Oil/Water Separation

Explorative Image Analysis of Methylene Blue Interactions with Gelatin in Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabric Membranes: A Potential Future Tool for the Characterization of the Diffusion Process.

This manuscript explores the interaction between methylene blue dye and gelatin within a membrane using spectroscopy and image analysis. Emphasis is placed on methylene blue's unique properties, specifically its ability to oscillate between two distinct resonance states, each with unique light absorption characteristics. Image analysis serves as a tool for examining dye diffusion and absorption. The results indicate a correlation between dye concentrations and membrane thickness. Thinner layers exhibit a consistent dye concentration, implying an even distribution of the dye during the diffusion process. However, thicker layers display varying concentrations at different edges, suggesting the establishment of a diffusion gradient. Moreover, the authors observe an increased concentration of gelatin at the peripheries rather than at the center, possibly due to the swelling of the dried sample and a potential water concentration gradient. The manuscript concludes by suggesting image analysis as a practical alternative to spectral analysis, particularly for detecting whether methylene blue has been adsorbed onto the macromolecular network. These findings significantly enhance the understanding of the complex interactions between methylene blue and gelatin in a membrane and lay a solid foundation for future research in this field.

Enhancing melon growth and sustainability through spun-bonded polypropylene fabric wrapping

This study aimed to assess various weights of spun-bonded nonwoven polypropylene (PP) fabrics for wrapping outdoor-grown melons, providing cost-effective options for both construction and insect protection. Fruit wrap bags were crafted using different materials, and spun-bond fabrics with weights of 30, 40, 50, and 60 gsm were tested for encasing melons. The results demonstrated that the 50 gsm spun-bonded bags significantly improved melon growth after a four-week period, establishing them as the preferred choice for outdoor melon cultivation. To evaluate their growth in comparison to unwrapped fruits, we measured melon circumference after four weeks. Unwrapped melons exhibited the slowest growth, whereas those enveloped in 50 gsm spun-bond fabric displayed the most substantial growth. Additionally, we employed hanging weights to gauge melon development. Melons encased in 30, 40, 50, and 60 gsm spun-bond fabric weighed 663, 680, 707, and 870 grams, respectively. Significantly, melons wrapped in 50 gsm spun-bond fabric exhibited the highest weight gain, underscoring its effectiveness. This study highlights the potential of spun-bonded PP fabric as a sustainable packaging option and a growth enhancer for melons, contributing to sustainable agriculture and improved crop quality.

Comparison of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Integration into Non-Woven Fabrics Using Different Functionalisation Methods for Prospective Application as Active Facemasks.

The development of advanced facemasks stands out as a paramount priority in enhancing healthcare preparedness. In this work, different polypropylene non-woven fabrics (NWF) were characterised regarding their structural, physicochemical and comfort-related properties. The selected NWF for the intermediate layer was functionalised with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) 0.3 and 1.2wt% using three different methods: electrospinning, dip-pad-dry and exhaustion. After the confirmation of ZnO NP content and distribution within the textile fibres by morphological and chemical analysis, the samples were evaluated regarding their antimicrobial properties. The functionalised fabrics obtained via dip-pad-dry unveiled the most promising data, with 0.017 ± 0.013wt% ZnO NPs being mostly located at the fibre's surface and capable of total eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli colonies within the tested 24 h (ISO 22196 standard), as well as significantly contributing (**** p < 0.0001) to the growth inhibition of the bacteriophage MS2, a surrogate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (ISO 18184 standard). A three-layered structure was assembled and thermoformed to obtain facemasks combining the previously chosen NWF, and its resulting antimicrobial capacity, filtration efficiency and breathability (NP EN ISO 149) were assessed. The developed three-layered and multiscaled fibrous structures with antimicrobial capacities hold immense potential as active individual protection facemasks.

Chitosan and TiO2 functionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabrics with visible light induced photocatalytic antibacterial performances

Chitosan/TiO2 functionalized polypropylene (CS/TiO2/PP) nonwoven fabrics were fabricated through crosslinking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde followed by loading of TiO2 nanoparticles. The functionalized CS/TiO2/PP has super hydrophilicity and excellent visible light induced photocatalytic antibacterial properties owing to the synergistic effects of CS and TiO2. The photocatalytic degradation performance was determined by assessing the degradation of methyl blue under simulated visible light irradiation and its recyclability was also evaluated. In addition, SEM images demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles were distributed evenly on the surface of the 2 g/L CS/TiO2/PP. Meanwhile, the polypropylene surface showed a significant increase in hydrophilicity after being treated with chitosan and TiO2. The photocatalytic degradation results revealed that CS/TiO2/PP had higher photocatalytic properties than those of pure PP under visible light, and the degradation rate of methylene blue reached 96.4 % after 90 min of light exposure. Compared to pure PP, the antibacterial properties of CS/TiO2/PP significantly increased, and the bacterial reduction percentages were increased to 98.7 % and 96.3 %, against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The functionalized CS/TiO2/PP composites exhibited promising potential in environmentally friendly antibacterial materials.

Sandwich structured chitosan-aerogel nonwoven filter with asymmetric wettability and pore size differences for high-efficient oil-mist filtration

The removal of oil mist is essential for industrial process and worker’s occupational health, as the oil mist will not only damage the industrial production device, but also increase human inhalation exposure risk. Traditional filters focus on high-efficiency low-resistance structured design for air filtration, while there is little research on cyclically sustainable filters for oil-mist filtration. Here, we developed a chitosan aerogel based on sustainable sandwich structure filter (NW-CS-Nylon 6) with thickness-direction asymmetric wettability and pore size differences, including polypropylene nonwoven fabric, chitosan aerogel and Nylon 6 nanofibrous membrane. Spray-coating was used to endow the Nylon 6 nanofibrous membrane with oleophobicity, and provide the whole filter with directional oil-transport function. Results revealed that the initial filtration efficiency and pressure drop of the oil-mist was 99.4%, 0.5 kPa, respectively. Remarkably, the ultra-high filtration efficiency of 99% and 98% was still maintained when the filtration was carried out for 50 and 100 times. Compared with traditional filters, it had higher filtration efficiency and lower pressure drop when continuously recycled, which had important research significance for filter recycling and energy saving in the future.

Recycled poly(propylene-co-methy1 methacrylate) as printing binder for photoluminescent textiles

Photochromic fabrics change color upon exposure to an external light source. Photoluminescent textiles can undergo phosphorescence or fluorescence emissions. Fluorescent textiles emit light only under an illumination light source, whereas phosphorescent textiles continue emitting light after switching the illumination light source off. Herein, an industrial spinning process was carried out to produce nonwoven fibrous mat from polypropylene plastic waste. Poly(propylene-co-methy1 methacrylate) binder was synthesized via free-radical polymerization of borane-containing polypropylene and methyl methacrylate. A screen-printing composite of rare-earth strontium aluminate nanoparticles and poly(propylene-co-methy1 methacrylate) binder was printed onto recycled nonwoven polypropylene fabrics to introduce photochromic and photoluminescent textiles. Direct application of aqueous pigment-binder composites comprising various ratios of inorganic pigment with outstanding thermal and photostability was deposited onto polypropylene textiles. Screen printing allowed for the application of a consistent photoluminescent layer onto polypropylene surface. The printed nonwoven polypropylene samples had their excitation tracked at 368 nm, and an emission wavelength at 519 nm. The printed cloth with lower phosphor concentrations were found to reversibly emit a green color only under ultraviolet light, demonstrating fluorescence emission. At greater phosphor concentrations, a reversible green emission was monitored under the excitation light source, and greenish-yellow afterglow in the dark. A number of analytical techniques were used to gather microscopic information on the morphology of pigment nanoparticles and printed polypropylene textiles. The phosphor nanoparticles were measured to have diameters of 8–23 nm as reported by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while X-ray diffraction examination revealed a crystal size of 21 nm. Increasing the pigment ratio enhanced the fabric UV protection, antibacterial activity, and superhydrophobicity. Upon increasing the pigment ratio, the contact and sliding angles were observed to increase in the ranges of 127.5°–160.4° and 11-7°, respectively. The impacts of phosphor ratio on comfort and colorfastness were examined.

Antibacterial Effects of a Carbon Nitride (CN) Layer Formed on Non-Woven Polypropylene Fabrics Using the Modified DC-Pulsed Sputtering Method.

In the present study, the surface of non-woven polypropylene (NW-PP) fabric was modified to form CN layers using a modified DC-pulsed (frequency: 60 kHz, pulse shape: square) sputtering with a roll-to-roll system. After plasma modification, structural damage in the NW-PP fabric was not observed, and the C-C/C-H bonds on the surface of the NW-PP fabric converted into C-C/C-H, C-N(CN), and C=O bonds. The CN-formed NW-PP fabrics showed strong hydrophobicity for H2O (polar liquid) and full-wetting characteristics for CH2I2 (non-polar liquid). In addition, the CN-formed NW-PP exhibited an enhanced antibacterial characteristic compared to NW-PP fabric. The reduction rate of the CN-formed NW-PP fabric was 89.0% and 91.6% for Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538, Gram-positive) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC4352, Gram-negative), respectively. It was confirmed that the CN layer showed antibacterial characteristics against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The reason for the antibacterial effect of CN-formed NW-PP fabrics can be explained as the strong hydrophobicity due to the CH3 bond of the fabric, enhanced wetting property due to CN bonds, and antibacterial activity due to C=O bonds. Our study presents a one-step, damage-free, mass-productive, and eco-friendly method that can be applied to most weak substrates, allowing the mass production of antibacterial fabrics.

Ag-decorated PP nonwoven for excellent catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and antibacterial study

Silver particles have been frequently coated on the surface of substrates with the assistance of polydopamine due to their important catalytic and antibacterial properties. However, the polydopamine layer was not compact and the resulted particles on the substrates were easy to leak during the application process, especially in the aqueous environment. For mediating this, we coated Ag particles on the surface of polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric by codeposition of catechol and polyethyleneimine, with subsequent crosslinking by glutaraldehyde. The formation of Ag particles on PP nonwoven fabric surface was systematically characterized using SEM, EDS and elemental mapping, TEM, FTIR, XRD and TG. Batch experiment showed that Ag@PP nonwoven fabric could effectively degrade the model pollutant 4-nitrophenol in the presence of reduction agent NaBH4 with 100% degradation efficiency. The adsorption isotherm was assessed and displayed that the sorption of 4-nitrophenol on reactive Ag@PP nonwoven fabric followed the Freundlich model. The Ag@PP nonwoven fabric was easy to be recycled and could maintained 100% degradation efficiency after six cycles. The degradation process was monitored using HPLC/MS and the possible degradation mechanism was proposed. In addition, the Ag@PP nonwoven fabric showed excellent antibacterial activity against E. coli. Overall, the material fabricated in this work would be a reusable catalyst for water purification and disinfection.

Atomic layer deposition of ZnO on polypropylene nonwovens for photocatalytic antibacterial facemasks

Addressing respiratory infectious diseases remains one of the main priorities due to the increased risk of exposure caused by population growth, increasing international travel and commerce, and most recently, the COVID-19 outbreak. In the war against respiratory diseases, facemasks are powerful tools to obstruct the penetration of microorganisms, thereby protecting the wearer from infections. Nonetheless, the intercepted microorganisms on the surface of facemasks may proliferate and lead to secondary infection. To solve this problem, atomic layer deposition is introduced to deposit uniform and mechanically robust ZnO layers on polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabrics, a widely used raw material in fabricating facemasks. The loading of ZnO demonstrates no adverse effects on the separation performance of facemasks, and the filtration efficiency of the facemasks towards different types of nanoparticles remains higher than 98.9%. Moreover, the modified PP nonwoven fabrics are granted with excellent antibacterial activity and photocatalytic sterilization ability, which can inactivate both germ-negative and germ-positive bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus) effectively with and without light illumination. Therefore, the modified PP nonwoven fabrics are potential candidates to be used as the outer layer on facemasks and endow them with photocatalytic antibacterial activity.

Electrospinning with curved nozzle spinneret for producing poly (vinyl Alcohol) nanomembrane for filtration

To produce a consistent and fine nanofiber with a higher yield, electrospinning with a redesigned spinneret has been used. The principle that a curved or sharp edge activates a greater electric field intensity that stretches the jet into a thinner and denser electro spinning nanoweb is the subject of this research. In the electrospinning process, a curved nozzle spinneret outperforms a circular nozzle spinneret and a standard needle type in terms of electric field intensity and dispersion. It has been discovered that a high electric field intensity causes a 30% reduction in fiber diameter, the development of a denser fiber web, and an increase in production rate up to 280 mg h−1.For testing as an air filtration material, the electro-spun nano web of Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is accumulated as a membrane and sandwiched with polypropylene nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven membrane can filter particles down to 2–3 microns, whereas the sandwiched PVA nano-fiber can filter particles into nanometers. This research could lead to the low-cost manufacture of Nano-membranes using a simple electrospinning setup.

Cerium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles loaded non-woven polypropylene fabric for photo decolourization of Congo red under visible light irradiation

Cerium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles loaded non-woven polypropylene fabric for photo decolourization of Congo red under visible light irradiation

Preparation and characterization of nanofibrous mats to enhance the anti-viral properties of nonwoven fabrics in medical sectors

This work suggests the preparation of antiviral nonwoven textile to be used in the medical sectors, namely, surgical gowns, bed sheets, and face masks. This was achieved by the preparation of nanofibrous mats (NFM), of different polymers with potential antiviral characters, on nonwoven polypropylene (PP) fabric. NFMs were prepared by electro-spinning of different polymer composites in formic acid using nozzle-less electro-spinneret. Chemical and physical properties were carried out for the prepared nanofibrous mats using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). The morphological structure of the electro-spun NFM was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The prepared NFMs were characterized by measuring their nanofiber diameter, porosity, thickness, and air permeability. The influence of different polymers were statistically analyzed using One-way ANOVA, also Tukey Honest Significant Difference test (Tukey post hoc test) was measured. The radar chart was evaluated to determine the best behavior of samples. The results and analyses exhibited enhanced antiviral activity for the PP nonwoven fabric and the results which agreed with comfort properties introduced by the radar chart.

One-step antibacterial modification of polypropylene non-woven fabrics via oxidation using photo-activated chlorine dioxide radicals.

In this study, we examined the modification of polypropylene non-woven fabrics (PP NWFs) via a one-step oxidation treatment using photo-activated chlorine dioxide radicals (ClO2˙). The oxidised PP NWFs exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). The mound structure and antibacterial activity in the modified PP NWFs disappeared upon washing with a polar organic solvent. After washing, nanoparticles of around 80 nm in diameter were observed in the solution. The results of several mechanistic studies suggest that nanoparticles can contribute to the antimicrobial activity of oxidised PP NWFs.