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.     

Preparation and properties of acryloyloxy carboxylic perfluorooctyl ester copolymer for liquid repellent finishing of cotton

Monomer of acryloyl tri(1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluoro-octyl) citrate (FOC) and β-acryloyloxy 1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluoro-octyl propionate (FOP) were successfully synthesized and copolymerized with n-butyl acrylate by continuous process emulsion copolymerization. Thermal properties of resulting fluorinated copolymers were characterized by TGA. The water and oil repellency of the polymers used as textile finishing agent on cotton fabrics were investigated, and the surface energies were calculated. The X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) measurement showed strong surface enrichment of fluorinated segments.     

Water repellent treatment of cotton fabrics by electron beam irradiation

In this study, traditional dip-pad-cure (DPC) process and electron beam (EB) irradiation were used to graft cotton fabrics with fluorine containing chemical, 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl acrylate (PFA). The grafted cotton fabrics were characterized by FT-IR and SEM. The water repellent properties were measured by contact angle, hydrostatic pressure, and spry test. It was found that there was no significant difference between the grafted cotton fabrics with DPC and EB methods, and the treated fabrics showed good water-resistant properties. The grafted cotton fabrics also showed good washing stability. By measuring the bending rigidity and bending hysteresis, it was found that the cotton fabrics grafted with PFA became softer than untreated samples.     

Assessment of the surface roughness of cotton fabrics through different yarn and fabric structural properties

The effects of some yarn properties (i.e. type, count, twist level, ply number, unevenness and crimp) and fabric constructional properties (i.e. cover, thickness and balance) on surface roughness values of cotton woven fabrics were investigated. A general overview of the results showed that surface roughness values of fabrics were affected from yarn and fabric properties and the effects were related to fabric balance, fabric cover (not cover factor), fabric thickness and crimp values of yarns in fabric structures. Surface roughness values of fabrics decreased as yarn fineness and yarn twist levels increased but as yarn ply number decreased. Also, surface roughness values gradually decreased from open-end yarn constituting fabrics to combed yarn constituting fabrics. Results showed that different properties of yarns caused changes in yarn crimps in fabric structure and also governed the changes in fabric balance, as well as changes in roughness of fabric surfaces. The changing properties of yarns and impact of these properties on fabric construction affected the formation of cotton fabric surfaces from smooth to coarse.     

Highly Durable and Robust Superhydrophobic/Superoleophilic Cotton Fabric with Well-designed Roughness for Oil/Water Separation

Herein we report a simple and reproducible method for fabricating highly durable and robust superhydrophobic and superoleophilic cotton fabrics via simultaneous radiation-induced graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate and subsequent chemical modifications with aminopropyltriethoxysilane and hexamethyldisilazane. The chemical structure and the surface topography of the pristine and the modified cotton fabrics were investigated in detail by ATR-FTIR, XPS, and ²⁹Si NMR, and a grafting layer was successfully immobilized onto the surface of the cotton fabric by forming covalent bonds. Multi-dimensional surface roughness was created by combining micro-sized fibers of the cotton fabric, nanoscaled protuberances of the grafting chain, and molecular level spherical projection points of silicon methyl. The superhydrophobic cotton fabric exhibited long-term stability, ultra-high durability and robustness, and maintained its properties even after 25 wash cycles. The fabric also showed excellent water repellency with a water contact angle of 153 ° and a high efficiency of oil/water separation (98 %). The superhydrophobic/superoleophilic cotton fabric developed in the present work exhibits important potential applications in superhydrophobic textiles and oil/water separation.     

Development of antimicrobial medical cotton fabrics using synthesized nanoemulsion of reactive cyclodextrin hosted coconut oil inclusion complex

Reactive cyclodextrin (RCD) based nanoemulsion and loaded with coconut oil in presence of Tween 80 emulsifying agent for development of antimicrobial medical cotton fabrics is the subject of current research. RCD based nanoemulsion was prepared at different stirring duration, viz, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h in presence of Tween 80. This was done in order to induce varieties in size and morphology of the nanoemulsion. The coconut oil encapsulated RCD based nanocomposite was precipitated as powder using centrifugation technique for 60 min at 4500 rpm and the resulted powder was investigated using TEM and SEM techniques. The images that provided by these techniques confirmed the nano-sized scale of the coconut oil loaded RCD nanocomposite. In addition, the entrapment efficiency of coconut oil loaded RCD based nanoemulsion after centrifugation was calculated and was found to more than 93 %; this is a proof for the successful inclusion of the coconut oil inside the cavity of RCD molecules. Moreover, the obtained RCD based nanoemulsions were applied to bleached cotton fabrics as per the pad-dry-cure method. The as treated cotton fabrics were monitored for nitrogen content, add-on, mechanical properties and morphology vis-a-vis those similarly treated fabrics but using the as prepared microemulsion of RCD loaded with coconut oil in absence of Tween 80. The morphological structure of cotton fabrics treated with the nanoemulsion in question was also examined using SEM technique. Moreover, the biological activity of the nanoemulsion finished fabrics before and after being submitted to 20 washing cycles was investigated against different types of bacteria and fungi as per the inhibition zone method. Results obtained signify: (i) deposition on the fabric of coconut oil loaded RCD nanoemulsion; (ii) the add-on of the nanoemulsion on the surface of cotton fabric is a manifestation of the stirring duration, proofing the formation of ultrafine oil nanoemulsion which penetrates the fabric surface; (iii) the finished fabrics display antimicrobial activity with clear excellent inhibition zone even after 20 washing cycles, indicating the protection of these fabrics for human beings from harmful microbes. In conclusion, the cotton fabrics treated with nanoemulsion of RCD loaded coconut oil is considered as an effective super antimicrobial medical textile against pathogenic microorganisms of both bacteria and fungus species.     

Preparation of Durable Antibacterial Cellulose with AgCl Nanoparticles

In this study, a facile method was developed to coat AgCl nanoparticles (NPs) onto knitted cotton fabrics. The AgCl NPs were characterized by ultraviolet absorption spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS). The AgCl NPs were coated onto cotton fabrics through a pad-dry-cure process with the assistance of 1,2,3,4- butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ICP-OES analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed that AgCl NPs were successfully coated onto cotton fabrics. The prepared cotton samples exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative K. pneumonia bacteria. Rat skin fibroblast cytotoxicity testing demonstrated the treated cotton fabrics to be non-toxic. The washing durability evaluation showed that the antimicrobial function of cotton fabrics was durable to washing. In addition, the wrinkle resistance of the coated cotton fabrics was improved and there was no obvious change in whiteness.     

Eco-friendly and Durable Antibacterial Cotton Fabrics Prepared with Polysulfopropylbetaine

A novel antibacterial agent polysulfopropylbetaine (PSPB) bearing carboxyl groups was synthesized and its application on cotton fabric to provide durable antibacterial property was also presented. The successful synthesis of PSPB and its immobilization onto the cotton fabric surface were verified by a series of tests including FTIR, ¹H NMR, XPS and SEM. Viable cell counting method was employed to investigate antibacterial properties of the finished cotton fabrics. It was found that the cotton fabrics treated with PSPB were endowed with desirable antibacterial activity against both gram-negative bacteria Esherichia coli (E.coli, AATCC 6538) and gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus, AATCC 25922), with the bacterisotatic rates of 99.69 % and 99.95 %, respectively. Notably, the bacterial reduction rates still maintained over 90 % against both bacteria even after 50 consecutive laundering cycles. Moreover, tests concerning the hydrophilicity, air permeability, water vapor transmission, mechanical properties as well as thermal properties were carried out systematically. The experimental results indicated the hydrophilic performance, air permeability and moisture penetrability of the cotton fabrics finished with PSPB were improved greatly in spite of a slight reduction in thermal performance and little obvious influence on mechanical performance. The antibacterial cotton fabric has the potential to be applied in sportswear, underwear, household textiles, medical fields and much more.     

Superhydrophobic and Antibacterial Properties of Cotton Fabrics Treated with PVDF and nano-ZnO through Phase Inversion Process

Cotton fabrics exhibiting superhydrophobic and antibacterial properties were prepared through a non-solvent induced phase separation method using hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its hybrids with photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZnO) as surface modifying agents for cotton fabric. The effects of coagulating medium and temperature on microstructural morphology and surface hydrophobictity of the cotton fabrics were investigated by FE-SEM observation and contact angle measurement. Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics exhibiting water contact angle higher than 150 ° could be obtained by coating the fabrics with solutions of PVDF and nano-ZnO followed by coagulation in ethanol as non-solvent. This phenomenon is considered to be originated from both chemically hydrophobic PVDF layer and physical micro- and nano-bumps formed on the surface of cotton fabric, which are essential requirements for Lotus effect. Moreover, antibacterial properties could be synergistically obtained by utilizing photocatalytic effect of nano-ZnO.     

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.     

Synthesis of a dodecylphenylsiloxane oligomer resin/silica nanocomposite and its application to cotton fabrics

A novel dodecylphenylsiloxane oligomer resin/nanocomposite (PHDESR-SiO₂) was prepared by graft copolymerization between dodecyl modified phenylsiloxane resin with pendent epoxy groups (PHDESR) and amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (BTEPA-SiO₂). PHDESR-SiO₂ was then used to prepare a super hydrophobic surface on cotton fabric by a facile solution-immersion process method. Chemical structures, chemical compositions, wettability, surface morphology, and thermal properties were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FT-IR), ¹H-NMR spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), static contact angle analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Particle size distribution (PSD) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the target product PHDESR-SiO₂ has an anticipative structure with many micro/nanostructure tubercles, a cross-linked network hydrophobic organosilicon resin film and many clusters of cylindrical dodecyl molecular brushes. This created super hydrophobic structure on the surface of the treated cotton fabrics. XPS analysis indicated that the long carbon chain groups had a slight tendency to enrich the film-air interface. In addition, PHDESR-SiO₂ can provide good hydrophobicity for the treated fabric. As the dose of PHDESR-SiO₂ increased, the hydrophobicity of the treated fabric enhanced and consequently the water static contact angle reached 152.5 °. This had little influence on the softness, color, and gas permeability of the fabrics. This makes it slightly stiff at high doses, and the super-hydrophobic cotton fabric also had good launderability.     

Cotton fabric mechanical properties affected by post-finishing processes

Following the work done previously [1]. In this paper, the effect of various post-finishing agents on the low stress mechanical and surface properties of dyed cotton fabrics, as well as their handle value have been studied. The mechanical properties of the treated cotton fabrics were measured by the famous KES-FB system. It has been found that cotton fabric mechanical properties and fabric handle can be modified by not only the external finishing agents but also the internal finishing agents which are used for correcting the inherent defect of the fabrics. The results in this report will inform the textile industry in engineering required fabric properties with appropriate finishing processes.     

Effect of ultrasonic laundering on thermophysiological properties of knitted fabrics

The paper focuses on the application of ultrasonic energy in textile laundering. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in ultrasonic energy application in textile industry; however, the effect of ultrasonic laundering on the thermophysiological properties of knitted fabrics has not been studied yet. This study was conducted by using polylactic acid (PLA), cotton, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and poly acrylic (PAC) fibres containing yarns and their blends. Knitted fabrics, single pique, were made from these yarns by using weft knitting machine. The fabrics were washed ten times for 15 and 60 minutes under 40 °C by using conventional and ultrasonic washing methods. The main aim was to determine the effect of washing methods on the thermophysiological properties of the fabrics. It is also aimed to analyse and evaluate the thermophysiological properties of the PLA fabrics. The incorporation of 100 % PLA and cotton/PLA yarns into single pique knitted fabrics has been attempted to produce for the first time and studied their thermal comfort properties. The results show that the washing processes have a critical importance for the tested fabrics in terms of thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thermal absorbtivity, water vapour permeability, and heat loss. It has been also demonstrated that the fabric cleaning by using ultrasonic method enhanced the properties of tested fabrics such as thermal conductivity and % recovery. It was also noted that 15 minutes ultrasonically washed fabrics had significantly lower thermal resistance as compared to conventionally washed fabrics.     

A comparative study of finer conventional and modified cotton yarns and their resultant woven fabrics

A modified ring spinning technique has been recently developed by incorporating false twisting devices into the conventional ring frame. Its application on the coarser yarn counts (7–32 Ne) showed notable advantages in modified yarn and fabric performance. More recently, it was noted that this technique can also be applied for producing finer cotton yarns. Thus this paper aims to carry out a systematic study of the physical properties of the finer modified yarns (80 Ne) and woven fabrics with respect to the conventional ones. Physical properties of conventional and modified single yarns were evaluated and compared. These two types of single yarn were used for the production of woven fabrics. Moreover, the above two types of single yarn were also plied and used for the production of woven fabrics under a commercial condition. All woven fabrics were assessed in terms of fabric tensile strength, tearing strength, abrasion resistance, fabric weight, and air-permeability as well as other fabric performance measured by the Kawabata Evaluation System (KES). Experimental results showed that finer modified yarns and fabrics exhibit higher strength, lower hairiness, and improved abrasion resistance, slightly better compression property, and smoother surface with relatively larger thickness.     

Synthesis,film morphology and performance of novel crosslinked polysiloxane with end-capped epoxy groups on cotton substrates

An epoxy group-terminated polyvinylmethylsiloxane (EPVMS) was firstly prepared via the cohydrolysis/condensation reaction of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄), 2,4,6,8-Tetramethyl-2,4,6,8-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄V), and epoxy group-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (ETP) under a base catalyst. Then, the EPVMS was reacted with polymethylhydrosiloxane oligomer (PHMS) by hydrosilylation to develop novel crosslinked polysiloxane with end-capped epoxy groups (CLPS). The chemical structure and the thermal property of the as-prepared products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (¹H/¹³C NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, the CLPS was applied as the finishing agent to treat the cotton fabrics. The film morphology and the surface properties were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and other instruments. FT-IR and NMR results confirmed the structure of the resultants. The crosslinked polysiloxane CLPS showed better thermal stability than the uncrosslinked polysiloxane EPVMS. The CLPS film on cotton fabric surface seemed to be smooth compared to the control by SEM. However, owing to the crosslinked structure, the CLPS film on silicon-wafer was inhomogeneous and had a few weak or strong peaks. At 5 nm data scale and in 2×2 μm² scanning field, the root mean square roughness of CLPS film reached to 0.414 nm. XPS analysis further demonstrates that there was a CLPS film covered on the cotton surface. Hydrophobicity of the CLPS treated fabric was superior to that of the EPVMS treated one. Whiteness of the treated fabrics by CLPS and EPVMS did not change at all compared to the control. The softness of the two treated fabrics was both better than that of control and particularly the softness of the EPVMS treated fabrics was preferable. The CLPS treated fabric possessed good washing durability.     

The eco-friendly surface modification of textiles for deep digital textile printing by in-line atmospheric non-thermal plasma treatment

This study evaluated the potential application of an atmospheric plasma (AP) treatment as a pre-treatment for digital textile printing (DTP) of polyester (PET) fabrics and cotton, in order to determine its viability as an alternative to the usual chemical treatment. The surface properties of the AP-treated fabrics were examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle, and the physical properties, such as electrostatic voltage and water absorbance, were tested. The properties of cotton and PET with the AP treatment were found to be dependent on number of repetitions and electric voltage. Although no remarkable surface differences were observed by SEM in the fabrics before and after treatment, the static contact angle of the PET after AP treatment was decreased from 85 ° to 24 ° at wave. In addition, the charge decay time decreased as the voltage and number of treatments increased. The absorption height of PET changed after exposure to 7 mm with increasing measurement time. The K/S with and without the AP pre-treated and DTP finished cotton was better than that with the usual chemical modification. In PET, the 0.5 kW and 1 time AP-treated specimen showed the highest K/S values.     

Antibacterial finishing of cotton fabrics using biologically active natural compounds

The paper discusses a method to functionalize cotton fabrics using biologically active natural compounds to achieve the antibacterial characteristics required for medical application. The biologically active natural compounds include propolis, beeswax, and chitosan. Three 100 % cotton knitted fabrics with different degrees of compactness were impregnated in the emulsions containing the active ingredients and fabric variant G3 with the highest degree of impregnation was considered for the evaluation of the antibacterial properties and comfort characteristics. The results show that the treated cotton fabric had high antibacterial activity against both gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus β haemolytic, and gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The presence of the biologically active natural compounds on the cotton substrates modified the surface of the textile fibers as seen in the SEM images. The treatment also improved fabric comfort properties, the cotton substrates became less air permissive and more hygroscopic after the treatment. The experimental results indicated that propolis, beeswax and chitosan can be applied as an emulsion to functionalize cotton textile materials. The antibacterial performance of the functionalized fabrics suggested that the cotton fabrics treated with those biologically active natural compounds have the potentials to be used in medical fields.     

Fabric objective measurement of the plasma-treated cotton fabric subjected to wrinkle-resistant finishing with BTCA and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

Handle is an important factor when designing the end-uses of fabric as it is also a critical factor for purchasing decision. In the present study, the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-F) was used for measuring the fabric handle of BTCA-TiO₂ treated cotton fabric with or without plasma pre-treatment. The results revealed that the BTCA-TiO₂ treated cotton fabrics without plasma pre-treatment had a negative effect on tensile, shearing, compressional, and surface properties while the bending properties were improved. On the other hand, the plasma pre-treatment improved the tensile and compressional properties, but not the bending, shearing, and surface properties.     

Changes in a knitted fabric’s surface properties due to enzyme treatments

Enzyme treatment technologies in textile processing have become commonly-applied techniques for the modification of fabric-handle appearance, and other surface and mechanical characteristics of fabrics. Most studies have focused on understanding the impact of enzyme treatments on the fabric preparation, dyeing, and finishing processes of woven fabrics, whilst only limited research has been reported regarding any enzymatic effects on the surface and handproperties of knitted fabrics. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of two different enzymes Trichoderma reesei whole cellulase, and enriched (EGIII) endoglucanase cellulase, at three different enzyme dosages on 100 % cotton interlock knitted fabric. This was in order to evaluate certain surface properties such as pilling, friction. and geometrical roughness. Furthermore, the compression and tactile properties of knitted fabric were also analyzed. The results show that treatment conditions with enzyme Trichoderma reesei whole cellulase had the more pronounced effect on the surface properties compared to the enriched EGIII enzymes. In general, it can be concluded that both types of enzymes improved the surface properties and hand when compared with the silicone softener-treated reference sample of interlock knitted fabric, as is statistically confirmed by one-way analysis of variance.     

Preparation of Copper Nanoparticles Coated Cotton Fabrics with Durable Antibacterial Properties

When copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were applied as an antimicrobial agent to finish cotton fabrics, there are two issues should be solved: the oxidization and the weak adsorbability onto cotton fiber surface. In the present work, we developed a new method that can achieve both immobilization and protection of the Cu NPs at the same time. As an effective binder, thioglycolic acid (TGA) was covalently linked to cotton fiber surface via an 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 TGA and citric acid, the Cu NPs immobilized on the fabric surface showed an excellent antibacterial effect and outstanding laundering durability. Even after 50 consecutive laundering tests, the modified cotton fabrics still showed satisfactory antibacterial ability against both S. aureus and E. coli, which the bacterial reduction rates are all higher than 96 %. It is believed that this methodology has potential applications in a wide variety of textile productions such as sportswear, socks, and medical textiles.