Polymers

Research

21 pages, 6359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Fiber Type and Yarn Diameter on Superhydrophobicity, Self-Cleaning Property, and Water Spray Resistance

by Ji Hyun Oh and Chung Hee Park

Polymers 2021, 13(5), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13050817 - 7 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3628

In this study, we proved that micro/micro hierarchical structures are enough to achieve a superhydrophobic surface using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dip-coating. Furthermore, the effect of fiber type and yarn diameter on superhydrophobicity and water spray resistance was investigated. Polyester fabrics with two types of [...] Read more.

In this study, we proved that micro/micro hierarchical structures are enough to achieve a superhydrophobic surface using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dip-coating. Furthermore, the effect of fiber type and yarn diameter on superhydrophobicity and water spray resistance was investigated. Polyester fabrics with two types of fibers (staple fabric and filament) and three types of yarn diameters (177D, 314D, and 475D) were used. The changes in the surface properties and chemical composition were investigated. Static contact angles and shedding angles were measured for superhydrophobicity, and the self-cleaning test was conducted. Water spray repellency was also tested, as well as the water vapor transmission rate and air permeability. The PDMS-coated staple fabric showed better superhydrophobicity and oleophobicity than the PDMS-coated filament fabric, while the filament fabric showed good self-cleaning property and higher water spray repellency level. When the yarn diameter increased, the fabrics needed higher PDMS concentrations and longer coating durations for uniform coating. The water vapor transmission rate and air permeability did not change significantly after coating. Therefore, the superhydrophobic micro/micro hierarchical fabrics produced using the simple method of this study are more practical and have great potential for mass production than other superhydrophobic textiles prepared using the chemical methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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12 pages, 4422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Cleaning Polyester Fabric Prepared with TiOF₂ and Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane

by Euigyung Jeong, Heeju Woo, Yejin Moon, Dong Yun Lee, Minjung Jung, Young-Seak Lee and Jin-Seok Bae

Polymers 2021, 13(3), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13030387 - 26 Jan 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3450

Abstract

In this study, self-cleaning polyester (PET) fabrics were prepared using TiOF₂ and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane(HDS) treatment. TiOF₂ was synthesized via direct fluorination of a precursor TiO₂ at various reaction temperatures. The prepared PET fabrics had superior photocatalytic self-cleaning properties compared with anatase [...] Read more.

In this study, self-cleaning polyester (PET) fabrics were prepared using TiOF₂ and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane(HDS) treatment. TiOF₂ was synthesized via direct fluorination of a precursor TiO₂ at various reaction temperatures. The prepared PET fabrics had superior photocatalytic self-cleaning properties compared with anatase TiO₂/HDS-treated PET fabrics under UV and sunlight with 98% decomposition of methylene blue. TiOF₂/HDS-treated PET fabrics also had superior superhydrophobic self-cleaning properties compared with anatase TiO₂/HDS-treated PET fabrics with a 161° water contact angle and 6° roll-off angle. After the self-cleaning tests of the non-dyed TiOF₂/HDS-treated PET fabrics, we prepared dyed TiOF₂/HDS-treated PET fabrics to test practical aspects of the treatment method. These PET fabrics were barely stained by tomato ketchup; even when stained, they could be self-cleaned within 4 h. These results suggest that practical self-cleaning PET fabrics with superhydrophobicity and photocatalytic degradation could be prepared using TiOF₂/HDS-treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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14 pages, 3735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacteria Adhesion of Textiles Influenced by Wettability and Pore Characteristics of Fibrous Substrates

by Tahmineh Hemmatian, Halim Lee and Jooyoun Kim

Polymers 2021, 13(2), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13020223 - 11 Jan 2021

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 3503

Abstract

Bacteria adhesion on the surface is an initial step to create biofouling, which may lead to a severe infection of living organisms and humans. This study is concerned with investigating the textile properties including wettability, porosity, total pore volume, and pore size in [...] Read more.

Bacteria adhesion on the surface is an initial step to create biofouling, which may lead to a severe infection of living organisms and humans. This study is concerned with investigating the textile properties including wettability, porosity, total pore volume, and pore size in association with bacteria adhesion. As model bacteria, Gram-negative, rod-shaped Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive, spherical-shaped Staphylococcus aureus were used to analyze the adhesion tendency. Electrospun webs made from polystyrene and poly(lactic acid) were used as substrates, with modification of wettability by the plasma process using either O₂ or C₄F₈ gas. The pore and morphological characteristics of fibrous webs were analyzed by the capillary flow porometer and scanning electron microscopy. The substrate’s wettability appeared to be the primary factor influencing the cell adhesion, where the hydrophilic surface resulted in considerably higher adhesion. The pore volume and the pore size, rather than the porosity itself, were other important factors affecting the bacteria adherence and retention. In addition, the compact spatial distribution of fibers limited the cell intrusion into the pores, reducing the total amount of adherence. Thus, superhydrophobic textiles with the reduced total pore volume and smaller pore size would circumvent the adhesion. The findings of this study provide informative discussion on the characteristics of fibrous webs affecting the bacteria adhesion, which can be used as a fundamental design guide of anti-biofouling textiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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16 pages, 6988 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disinfection Treatments of Disposable Respirators Influencing the Bactericidal/Bacteria Removal Efficiency, Filtration Performance, and Structural Integrity

by Seojin Jung, Tahmineh Hemmatian, Eugene Song, Kyeongeun Lee, Dongwan Seo, Jehyung Yi and Jooyoun Kim

Polymers 2021, 13(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010045 - 24 Dec 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5048

Abstract

In the outbreak of COVID-19, the extended wear of single-use, disposable respirators was inevitable due to limited supplies. As a respirator is front-line protection against particulate matter, including bioaerosol and droplets, a comprehensive understanding for the reuse strategy is needed. In this study, [...] Read more.

In the outbreak of COVID-19, the extended wear of single-use, disposable respirators was inevitable due to limited supplies. As a respirator is front-line protection against particulate matter, including bioaerosol and droplets, a comprehensive understanding for the reuse strategy is needed. In this study, eight different disinfection methods commonly applied for the reuse of respirators were compared for their influence on the filtration and bactericidal/bacteria removal performance, with in-depth discussion on the cause of effects. Treatments including oven-dry, ultraviolet irradiation (UV), microwaving, laundering with and without detergent, and immersion in hypochlorite, isopropanol, and ethanol were performed to respirators. Immersion in ethanol or isopropanol was effective for inactivation and removal of bacteria, yet such a treatment significantly deteriorated the filtration efficiency in about 20–28%, dissipating the surface charges. Laundering, while effective in removing the attached bacteria, triggered physical damage, leading to a possible reduction of filtration performance. A short-term oven-dry, UV irradiation, and microwaving mostly preserved the filtration performance, yet the drawback lied in the incomplete bactericidal efficiency. This study would contribute to the public health and safety by providing scientific background on the effect of disinfection treatment methods for respirators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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12 pages, 3152 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porous Film Coating Enabled by Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) for Enhanced Air Permeability of Fabrics: The Effect of PVP Molecule Weight and Dosage

by Jiantang Jiang, Yifeng Shen, Deyou Yu, Tao Yang, Minghua Wu, Lei Yang and Michal Petru

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2961; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122961 - 11 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3658

Abstract

This study developed a versatile and facile method for creating pores and tuning the porous structure in the polymer latex films by selectively etching the added functional polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) molecules. The pore formed in the latex films had a similar morphology to [...] Read more.

This study developed a versatile and facile method for creating pores and tuning the porous structure in the polymer latex films by selectively etching the added functional polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) molecules. The pore formed in the latex films had a similar morphology to that of PVP aggregation before etching. This observation promotes us to regulate the pore morphology that determines the film’s property, such as air permeability through varying the PVP molecule weight and dosage. To this end, the effects of PVP molecule weight and dosage on the pore formation were systematically studied. The results showed that the average pore size of porous film decreased from >10 μm to sub-micron (about 0.4 μm) as the molecular weight or the dosage of PVP increased. This was ascribed to the strong adsorption affinity of PVP molecule onto the latex particle surface, which further hindered the diffusion and self-assembly of PVP molecule. In addition, this interaction became much stronger when the higher molecule weight of PVP or the higher dosage of PVP was employed, leading to the decreased size of PVP aggregation, as well as the formed pores in the latex films. Furthermore, the addition of PVP had little effect on the color of coated fabric based on the results of CIE L*a*b* measurement. The proposed facile method can be used to improve the air permeability of coated fabrics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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10 pages, 5801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Fabric Detoxification Treatment Method Using Microwave and Polyethyleneimine Against Nerve Gas Agents

by Woong Kwon, Changkyu Kim, Jiyun Kim, Jongwon Kim and Euigyung Jeong

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122861 - 30 Nov 2020

Viewed by 2277

Abstract

Generally, detoxification fabrics are defined as fabrics that remove or inhibit the production of toxic compounds, especially chemical warfare agents such as nerve gas agents. They are usually prepared using a complicated and time-consuming method. This study suggests a facile treatment method for [...] Read more.

Generally, detoxification fabrics are defined as fabrics that remove or inhibit the production of toxic compounds, especially chemical warfare agents such as nerve gas agents. They are usually prepared using a complicated and time-consuming method. This study suggests a facile treatment method for preparing detoxification fabrics against nerve gas agents using polyethyleneimine and microwave curing. The detoxification properties of polyethyleneimine and microwave-treated polypropylene nonwoven fabric were evaluated using diisopropylfluoro-phosphate, which is a nerve agent simulant. The treated polypropylene fabric decontaminated 53.6% of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) in 2 h at 32 °C, and the half-life of DFP on the surface of the treated fabric was 122 min. The result indicates that the treated fabric can act as a basic organocatalyst for the DFP hydrolysis and has a shorter half-life owing to the large number of amine groups. Therefore, the facile treatment method has the potential for use in the preparation of detoxification fabrics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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12 pages, 2115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Energy-Efficient Superhydrophobic Polypropylene Fabric by Oxygen Plasma Etching and Thermal Aging

by Shinyoung Kim, Ji-Hyun Oh and Chung Hee Park

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2756; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112756 - 23 Nov 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4105

Abstract

This study developed a human-friendly energy-efficient superhydrophobic polypropylene (PP) fabric by oxygen plasma etching and short-term thermal aging without additional chemicals. The effect of the microroughness on the superhydrophobicity was examined by adjusting the weave density. After the PP fabric was treated with [...] Read more.

This study developed a human-friendly energy-efficient superhydrophobic polypropylene (PP) fabric by oxygen plasma etching and short-term thermal aging without additional chemicals. The effect of the microroughness on the superhydrophobicity was examined by adjusting the weave density. After the PP fabric was treated with oxygen plasma etching for 15 min and thermal aging at 120 °C for 1 h (E15H120 1 h), the static contact and shedding angles were 162.7° ± 2.4° and 5.2° ± 0.7° and the energy consumption was 136.4 ± 7.0 Wh. Oxygen plasma etching for 15 min and thermal aging at 120 °C for 24 h (E15H120 24 h) resulted in a static contact and shedding angle of 180.0° ± 0.0° and 1.8° ± 0.2° and energy consumption of 3628.5 ± 82.6 Wh. E15H120 1 h showed a lower shedding angle but had a higher sliding angle of 90°. E15H120 24 h exhibited shedding and sliding angles of less than 10°. Regardless of the thermal aging time, superhydrophobicity was higher in high-density fabrics than in low-density fabrics. The superhydrophobic PP fabric had a similar water vapor transmission rate and air permeability with the untreated PP fabric, and it showed a self-heading property after washing followed by tumble drying and hot pressing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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18 pages, 3133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure and Properties of Polyamide Fabrics with Insect-Repellent Functionality by Electrospinning and Oxygen Plasma-Treated Surface Coating

by Chunhui Xiang, Nicholas R. Etrick, Margaret W. Frey, Edmund J. Norris and Joel R. Coats

Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2196; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102196 - 25 Sep 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3888

Abstract

The need for light-weight and high-strength insect-repellant fabrics is of critical importance to the cessation of viral diseases. The goal of the study is to investigate the structure and properties of insect-repellent polyamide fabrics for use in protective garments to guard against mosquitos. [...] Read more.

The need for light-weight and high-strength insect-repellant fabrics is of critical importance to the cessation of viral diseases. The goal of the study is to investigate the structure and properties of insect-repellent polyamide fabrics for use in protective garments to guard against mosquitos. Permethrin was applied to the polyamide fabrics through incorporation into the nylon 6 polymer solution during electrospinning and dip coating onto the control untreated and oxygen plasma-treated polyamide fabrics: electropun nylon 6 nanofiber nonwovens, commercially available nylon 6 warp knit tricot, and nylon 66 double weft, knit interlock fabrics. The incorporation of permethrin into the polymer solution before the formation of fibers demonstrated the most efficient way to apply permethrin to the fiber/fabric systems. The plasma treatment significantly increased the amount of permethrin on the surface of the fabrics. All permethrin-containing polyamide fabrics showed excellent fastness of the insecticide to light. The electrospun nylon 6 nonwovens demonstrated the best fastness to washing among the plasma-treated electrospun nylon 6, nylon 66 double weft knit, and nylon 6 warp-knit tricot. All permethrin-treated fabrics were repellent and caused higher percentage of mosquito escape compared to the control untreated fabrics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Textiles for Health and Safety, Environmental Protection Applications)

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