Multifunctional modification of wool fabric using graphene/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

In this study, a new finishing technique is introduced through treatment of wool fabric with graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite. Graphene oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite first applied on the wool fabric by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide in graphene oxide suspension and then this coating chemically converted by sodium hydrosulfite to graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite. The homogenous distribution of the graphene/TiO₂ nanocomposite on the fiber surface was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray mapping. X-ray diffraction patterns proved the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a crystal size of 127 Å on the treated wool fabric. Also, the defect analysis based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) established the composition of the nanocomposite. Other characteristics of treated fabrics such as antibacterial activity, photo-catalytic self-cleaning, electrical resistivity, ultraviolet (UV) blocking activity and cytotoxicity were also assessed. The treated wool fabrics possess significant antibacterial activity and photo-catalytic self-cleaning property by degradation of methylene blue under sunlight irradiation. Moreover, this process has no negative effect on cytotoxicity of the treated fabric even reduces electrical resistivity and improves UV blocking activity.     

Transglutaminase treatment for improving wool fabric properties

The microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) is used as a bio-catalyst to repair the wool damages caused by chemical or enzymatic treatments. In this paper, the effect of mTGase on the degree of yarn strength, area shrinkage, wettability, and the dyeing properties of wool was investigated. Through mTGase treatment, the yarn strength was improved about 22.2 %. The knitted wool fabrics treated with mTGase after pretreatment of H₂O₂ and protease displayed 7.5 % of area shrinkage and about 22.3 % recovery in tensile strength when compared with those treated without mTGase. Also, mTGase treatment could improve the wettability and dyeing properties of wool fabrics. With the increase of mTGase concentration, the initial dye exhaustion increased significantly and the time to reach the dyeing equilibrium was shortened. It was evident that the improvement of dyeing properties was closely related to the improvement of wettability performance of wool fabric by using transglutaminase.     

Meta-mordant Dyeing with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis> (L.) O. Ktze var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">waldensae</Emphasis> (S.Y.Hu) Chang (Yellow-bud Tea) Extract for Wool Fabrics Treated by UV Radiation

The wool fabrics were treated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and then dyed with Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze var. waldensae (S.Y.Hu) Chang (yellow-bud tea) extract using meta-mordant dyeing method. The results indicated that the hydrophilicity of wool fabrics was improved after UV radiation treatment, which was conducive in improving color performance for the meta-mordant dyeing with yellow-bud tea extract of wool fabrics. The optimal dyeing process was that the powdered extract (5.0 % o.w.f) and the CuSO₄ (2.0 % o.w.f) were added to the dyeing liquor, the pH value was adjusted to 3.5-4.0 by HCOOH, the wool fabrics treated by UV radiation for 10 min and then were dyed at a bath ratio of 1:50 under 95 °C for 70 min. By means of three-factor quadratic current rotation revolving design (TQCRRD) method, the computation results of the mathematical equations and models indicated that UV radiation was the most important factor for meta-CuSO₄ dyeing with yellow-bud tea extract for wool fabrics.     

Ultrasound assisted extraction of natural dyes and natural mordants vis a vis dyeing

Most of the natural dyes require mordants for their fixation on textile materials. Natural mordants are thus gaining importance in order to get complete-natural dyeing. In the present work, natural dyes and mordants were extracted using conventional and ultrasound methods and comparative studies were made. The natural mordants namely harda and tamarind seed coat and natural dyes like turmeric, henna were extracted using conventional and ultrasound approaches and various extracts obtained were described in terms of their optical densities. In order to verify the extraction efficiencies, wool fabrics were dyed with extracts of various combinations of mordants/dyes and dyed fabrics were evaluated for their colour strengths and fastness properties. The extent of colour extraction was higher in case of ultrasound assisted extraction as compared to that of conventional method. The fabrics dyed using extracts of ultrasound method showed higher colour values as compared to those dyed using extracts from conventional methods thus confirming ultrasound as more efficient method of extraction.     

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles with sericin and functional finishing to cotton fabrics

This research presents a novel strategy to fabricate multi-functional cotton textiles. In this study, silver nanoparticles-sericin (Ag NPS-sericin) hybrid colloid has been prepared using sericin as reducing agent and dispersing agent. Cotton fabrics was oxidized selectively with sodium periodate (NaIO₄) to generate oxidized cotton fabrics, and which has then been finished using Ag NPS-sericin hybrid colloid prepared to obtain multi-functional cotton textiles. The finished cotton fabric not only possessed excellent antibacterial activity, but also it was modified functionally by sericin protein, which endowed antibacterial cotton fabrics relatively smooth surface and good wear ability. Fourier transform infrared spectrogram confirmed that sericin protein was grafted onto cellulose fibers. Ag NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The results of SEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and EDS confirmed that silver nanoparticles and sericin been loaded successfully on the surface of cotton fabrics. The antibacterial experiments showed bacterial reduction rates of S.aureus and E.coli were able to reach above 99 %. After washing 20 times, it showed still good antibacterial activity at over 95 % against S.aureus and E.coli.     

Simultaneous synthesis of nano ZnO and surface modification of polyester fabric

In this study, synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was carried out along with the hydrolysis of polyester fabric using sodium hydroxide to increase the surface activity and enhance the nanoparticles adsorption. The polyester fabrics were treated with zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide at different bath conditions, ultrasound and stirrer, resulting in formation of ZnO nanospheres and ZnO nanorods. The presence of zinc oxide with different shapes on the surface of the polyester fabrics was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Also, the X-ray diffraction patterns established the composition of wurtzite structure of zinc oxide. The self-cleaning property of treated polyester fabrics was evaluated through discoloring dye stain under sunlight irradiation. The antibacterial activities of the samples against two common pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also assessed. The results indicated that the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of the ultrasound treated polyester fabrics were superior compared to the stirrer treated samples.     

Study on the dyeing of wool fabrics with Phytolacca berry natural dyes

Dyeing of wool fabrics with natural dyes from Phytolacca berries has been studied. The effect of dye concentration, dye bath pH, dyeing time and temperature were discussed. The influence of chitosan application on the dyeing properties of wool fabrics was investigated. The SEM photographs of chitosan treated wool fabrics clearly depict the deposition of chitosan on the fibers. The effect of chitosan concentration, dye bath pH, dyeing time and temperature has been studied by orthogonal experiment. It has been proved that the dyed wool samples pretreated by chitosan have higher color fastness, faster dyeing rate, and better antibacterial properties compared with untreated ones.     

The structure of wool fibers grafted with chitosan coated Ag-loading nano-SiO2 antibacterial composites

Wool fiber was grafted with chitosan coated Ag-loading nano-SiO₂ (CCTS-SLS) antibacterial composites under ultraviolet irradiation. The morphologies and structures of CCTS-SLS-wool were characterized by using scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry. The results show that a uniform and smooth antibacterial layer of 200 nm in thickness was formed on the surface of wool fiber by covalent bonding. The mechanical properties of the antibacterial wool fiber were improved. The antibacterial performance was found to be excellent, with antibacterial effect up to 90 % even after repeated washing. CCTS-SLS-wool possessed soft hand-feeling and good color.     

Mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of polypropylene non-woven fabrics reinforced with POSS and SiO2 nanoparticles

PP/POSS and PP/SiO₂ composite non-woven fabrics filled with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and SiO₂ respectively using a convenient blending method were prepared through melt-blown process with corona charging. The morphology of the composite fibers and the distribution of POSS and SiO₂ nanoparticles in PP matrix were investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FSEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), respectively. POSS and SiO₂ can act as nucleating agent and accelerate the crystallization process during nonisothermal cooling. The shear storage modulus G??, loss modulus G??, and complex viscosity ??* of non-woven fabric reduce when 1 wt % POSS was added and increase for PP5/POSS composite non-woven fabric compared with pure PP non-woven fabrics. However, all G??, G?? and ??* of PP/SiO₂ non-woven fabric decrease with increasing SiO₂ content owing to plasticization by SiO₂. Both stress and elongation at break of the PP/POSS melt-blown non-woven fabrics are improved compared with PP non-woven fabrics, however decrease when SiO₂ was added, as compared to the neat PP non-woven fabric. The onset temperature of decomposition for both the PP/POSS and PP/SiO₂ composite non-woven fabrics is higher (5?C10 °C) than pure PP and char content is increased with increasing POSS and SiO₂.     

Antibacterial properties and color fastness of silk fabric dyed with turmeric extract

The use of non-toxic and eco-friendly natural dyes on textiles has received much attention due to the increased environmental awareness in order to avoid some hazardous synthetic dyes. In the present study, an eco-friendly approach was developed to impart color and antibacterial properties to silk fabrics dyed with turmeric extract as a non-toxic natural colorant. The natural colorant was extracted from Curcuma Longa rhizome. Copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate and potassium aluminium sulfate were applied in a pre-metallization process as mordanting agents. Antibacterial properties of treated fabrics were evaluated against common pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). The effects of dye concentration and mordant types on the obtained color hues, antibacterial efficiency and color fastness of the fabrics were investigated. The results indicated that mordanted and dyed fabrics possessed desirable antibacterial properties. Complete antibacterial activity of the treated fabrics was obtained with 3 %owf (on weight of the fabric) copper sulfate. It was also shown that increasing the dye concentration could lead to a more efficient antibacterial activity on the mordanted dyed fabrics. An optimum level of the antibacterial activity was observed in the sample treated with 30 %owf of turmeric. Furthermore, the results of CIE L*, a*, b* values, FTIR, washing, light and rubbing fastnesses of the dyed fabrics were reported. The mordanted dyed silk fabrics exhibited desirable color fastness properties. These studies proved a direct relationship between the degree of antibacterial activity of the fabrics treated with turmeric and the metals ion concentration.     

Preparation of electroconductive,magnetic, antibacterial,and ultraviolet-blocking cotton fabric using reduced graphene oxide nanosheets and magnetite nanoparticles

The main goal of present study was the fabrication of cotton fabric with special functions, including electrical conductivity, magnetic, antibacterial, and ultraviolet (UV) blocking. In this regard, the cotton fabric was primarily coated with graphene oxide and then reduction of graphene oxide and synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles accomplished in one step. The alkaline hydrolysis of magnetite precursors and reduction of graphene oxide was simultaneously performed using sodium hydroxide to produce reduced graphene oxide/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite on the fabric surface. The prepared cotton fabrics were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The treated fabrics with reduced graphene oxide/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite displayed a low electrical resistivity i.e. 80 kΩ/sq. Furthermore, the coated fabrics showed reasonable magnetic properties due to the presence of magnetite nanoparticles on the surface of cotton fabrics. Moreover, this process imparted proper antibacterial properties and UV blocking activity to cotton samples.     

Facile Fabrication of Durable Antibacterial Cotton Fabric Realized by Thioglycolic Acid and Silver Nanoparticles

In this study, durable antibacterial cotton fabrics were prepared by a simple two-step impregnation method. Firstly, thioglycolic acid (TGA) was grafted onto cotton fabric via esterification with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, then silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were immobilized on the cotton fabric surface via coordination bonds with the TGA thiol groups. As a result, the mean size of Ag NPs coating on the cotton fabric is around 74 nm, and these functionalized cotton fabrics show superior antibacterial properties and excellent laundering durability. After withstand 50 laundering cycles, the obtained cotton fabrics still showed outstanding bacterial reduction rates (BR) against both S. aureus and E. coli, and the rates are all higher than 97 %. Therefore, this method to prepare antibacterial cotton fabric shows great potential applications in socks, cosmetic, and medical textiles.     

Improving certain properties of wool fibers by applying chitosan nanoparticles and atmospheric plasma treatment

The nanochitosan particles were prepared by ionic gelation method using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as anionic chemical agent. Structural and morphological properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The results showed that nanoparticles were spherical with a diameter range of 17-105 nm. After nanochitosan synthesis, the effects of chitosan and nanochitosan concentrations on the dyeability, fastness properties, shrink-proofing, tensile strengths, and surface friction coefficients of untreated and plasma treated wool fabrics were investigated. The studies revealed that nanochitosan treated wool fabric possesses better dyeing and shrink-proofing properties in comparison with conventional chitosan treated fabrics.     

Self-cleaning Properties of Nylon 6 Fabrics Treated with Corona and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles under Both Ultraviolet and Daylight Irradiations

Nylon 6 fabric with self-cleaning properties was prepared by corona discharge pre-treatment and coating with TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) using pad-dry-cure technique. The self-cleaning property was studied by discoloration of methylene blue (MB), ketchup, tea and coffee stains from the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon-6 fabric. Color difference (ΔΕ*), reflectance (R) and K/S of MB stain were investigated by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry. The MB stain was almost completely removed from the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon surface after 24 h under UV light/daylight irradiation. Both of these phenomena (corona and TiO₂) led to an increase in the discoloration of stains under UV and daylight irradiations. The EDS analysis showed an increase in the concentration of deposited TiO₂ NPs coating after corona treatment. The FE-SEM images revealed that the surface of nylon 6 was coarser after the corona treatment. Also, the FE-SEM micrographs exhibited that a uniform layer of TiO₂ NPs was formed on the corona treated nylon fabric. The corona+TiO₂ treated nylon illustrated antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtillis microorganisms. The EDS and FE-SEM analysis confirmed that after 5 washing cycles, the amount of TiO₂ NPs was higher on the surface of corona+TiO₂ treated nylon than that of the fabric only treated with TiO₂ without corona pretreatment. This result justifies that the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon fabric with appropriate self-cleaning property can be applied cost-effectively in the textile industry.     

Dyeing properties of wool fabrics dyed with Vitis Vinifera L. (black grenache) leaves extract

In this work, water-extraction of Vitis Vinifera L. (Black Grenache) leaves and analysis of aqueous extracts for anthocyanins were investigated. Vegetable leaves were cultivated in North of Tunisia at different dates. Anthocyanins were identified as main constituents in these natural dyeing materials using high performance liquid chromatography (HPCL). Dyeability of wool and its fastness properties using Vitis Vinifera L. leaves extract were also determined. Aqueous extract of Vitis Vinifera L. leaves has markedly yielded shades with good fastness properties. Thus, affordability is a point favorable for Vitis Vinifera L. leaves. Effects of dye bath pH and temperature on dyeability and fastness proprieties of wool fabrics by aqueous extract of Vitis Vinifera L. leaves were evaluated. Experimental results showed that fastness properties of dyed fabrics ranged from average to very good. Vitis Vinifera L. leaves extracts showed potential to dyeing wool fibers under highly acidic conditions (pH ≤2). The results obtained here revealed that natural dyes extracted from Vitis Vinifera L. leaves can be cost-effective for dyeing wool fabrics.     

Thin film deposition by PECVD using HMDSO-O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Ar gas mixture on knitted wool fabrics in order to improve pilling resistance

In this work knitted wool fabrics were coated by a Si:O_x:C_y:H_z thin film with the aim to promote pilling resistance. The wool samples were plasma coated in a radio frequency (RF) glow discharge using hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) as the precursor, in mixture with argon and oxygen gases, for different deposition times and reaction pressures, at constant discharge power. Deposited films were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and surface morphology by means of scanning electron microscopy; moreover, propensity to pilling of treated samples was investigated, showing that treated fabrics had a better pilling performance respect to untreated ones.     

Deodorizing and antibacterial performance of cotton, silk and wool fabrics dyed with Punica granatum L. extracts

Natural dye extracts were obtained by extraction from Punica granatum L. using water as an extractant at 90 °C for 90 min with various liquor ratios (solid Punica granatum L.(wt.): solvent water(wt.); 1:100–1:5). Dyeing was carried out using a 1:50 dyeing bath ratio at 80 °C for 60 min by exhaustion method. This study focused on the effect of liquor ratio on dyeing properties and deodorizing/antibacterial performance of various fabrics (cotton, silk and wool) dyed with Punica granatum L. extract without mordants. The optimum liquor ratio was found to be 1:10. By IR, UV-visible spectroscopies and HPLC analysis, the main component in Punica granatum L. extract and the yellow colorant component were found to be ellagic acid. By GC/MS analysis, the major volatile components of pristine Punica granatum L. powder were found to be acetic acid (area: 25.84 %), ethanol (area: 17.97 %), acetoin (area: 13.11 %), acetaldehyde (area: 8.96 %), isobutanal (area: 4.90 %). All dyed fabrics (cotton, silk and wool fabrics) displayed outstanding deodorizing performance (99 %) against ammonia gas and excellent antibacterial performance (bacteriostatic reduction rate: 99.9 %) against Staphylococcu aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.     

Functional modification of wool fabric by thiol-epoxy click chemistry

The paper reports modification and characterization of wool fabrics achieved through thiol-epoxy click chemistry. A pretreatment with tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP) as an effective reducing agent was carried out to produce thiol groups on wool surface. Glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTAC) was later covalently bonded with wool fibers via thiol-epoxy reaction. The reaction was confirmed by SEM, FTIR, Raman and TG analysis. Antibacterial activity, antistatic property, hydrophilicity and dyeability of treated wool fabric were assessed. The results demonstrated that TCEP-GTAC treatment can endow wool fabric good antibacterial and antistatic properties as well as improved hydrophilicity. Tensile strength studies indicated fiber strength loss of ~12 % on modification.     

Double Protect Copper Nanoparticles Loaded on L-cysteine Modified Cotton Fabric with Durable Antibacterial Properties

In this work, we developed a new method that can achieve immobilization and protection of the Cu NPs coating on the cotton fabrics by a simple two-step impregnation method. Firstly, L-cysteine (Cys) was grafted onto cotton fabric via esterification with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, then Cu NPs were introduced on the fabric surface in the presence of a protective reagent, citric acid. Due to the doubled stabilization acts of Cys and citric acid, the Cu NPs immobilized on the fabric surface showed an excellent antibacterial effect and outstanding laundering durability. As a result, the mean size of the Cu NPs coating on the cotton fabric is about 62.4 nm, and the modified cotton fabrics showed satisfactory antibacterial ability against both S. aureus and E. coli, which the bacterial reduction rates are all higher than 98 % even withstand 50 washing cycles. Therefore, this method to prepare antibacterial cotton fabrics showed great potential applications in socks, cosmetic, and medical textiles.     

Ultrasonic dyeing of cationized cotton fabric with natural dye. Part 2: Cationization of cotton using Quat 188

The dyeing of cationized cotton fabric with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride 69% (Quat 188) using Cochineal dye was studied using both conventional and ultrasonic techniques. Factors affecting dye extraction and dye bath exhaustion were investigated. The results indicated that the dye extraction by ultrasound at 300 W was more effective at lower temperatures and times than conventional extraction. Also, the colour strength values obtained were found to be higher with ultrasound than with conventional techniques. However, the results showed that the fastness properties of the dyed fabrics with ultrasound are similar to those of the conventional dyed fabrics. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were measured for cationized cotton fabrics dyed with both conventional and ultrasound techniques, thus showing the sonicator efficiency.