Multifunctional cellulose-containing fabrics using modified finishing formulations

Analysis of the Surface of Historic Fabric from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum after Treatment with Ethanol Mist Used to Eliminate Microorganisms Harmful to Human Health

AIM

the aim of the work was to present the changes occurring on the model and historical cotton surface of cotton resulting from disinfection with 90% ethanol mist.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples of historical materials consisted of fabric elements from suitcases stored in A-BSM. A mist of 90% ethanol was applied for 15 s at a distance of 16 cm from the surface. The spectra of cotton samples before and after ethanol application were recorded using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Analyses of the surface layers were performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

RESULTS

the decontamination performed did not show any significant differences in the chemical composition and surface structure of cotton before and after the use of 90% ethanol mist.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethanol mist, which eliminates microorganisms from the historical surface, does not cause significant changes to the surface of historical objects.

Development of insecticide-impregnated polyester/cotton blend fabric and assessment of their repellent characteristics against Cimex lectularius and dengue vectors Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti

BACKGROUND

Personal protection measures using insecticide-treated fabric is one of the most effective strategies to prevent the bites of hematophagous insects. Many countries have had success treating fabrics with pyrethroids on an individual level.

METHODS

In the current study, a new combination of insecticides, alpha-cypermethrin (ACP) and deltamethrin (DET), has been impregnated on fabric composed of a 50:50 blend of polyester and cotton. Residual and morphological analysis was performed along with the evaluation of physical parameters. Biological evaluations were performed to check the repellency, knockdown, and mortality of insecticide-impregnated fabric (IIF) against bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) using Petri plate assay and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) using cone bioassay.

RESULTS

The results showed the repellency of IIF to be 56.6% for C. lectularius and a knockdown percentage of 53.3% and 63.3% for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively. A > 80% mortality was found for both species of mosquitoes up to 20 cycles of washing with no significant difference (P > 0.05). From high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the reduction in the contents of ACP and DET after subsequent washes can be correlated with the overall decrease in bioefficacy. ACP and DET remaining in unit gram of fabric after 20 wash cycles were found to be 5.4 mg and 3.1 mg, respectively. By examining the fabric's surface morphology using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and utilizing energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis, it was possible to identify the presence of insecticides that were adhered to the fabric. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed distinctive endothermic peak of insecticide at 98.3 ºC, whereas no change in thermal behavior was observed from thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, the physical attributes of IIF provide conclusive evidence for its firmness.

CONCLUSION

All experimental findings were consistent with the potential use of IIF as a bed bug- and mosquito-repellent fabric to be used against hematophagous infestations. This fabric can serve as a potential strategy to control vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, trench fever, etc.

Optimization of the Process of Eliminating Microorganisms Harmful to Human Health and Threatening Objects Isolated from Historical Materials from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland (A-BSM) Collection with the Use of Ethanol in the Form of Mist

The aim of the study was to assess the biocidal effectiveness and the effect of 80% and 90% ethanol applied in the form of mist on the surface of textile materials from historical A-BSM objects. The microorganisms used for the tests, namely, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum, were isolated from the surface of textile objects in the A-BSM. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were also used from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Fabric samples were inoculated with microorganisms at a concentration of 10⁵-10⁶ CFU/ml. Ethanol in the form of mist was applied in concentrations of 80% and 90%. Airbrushes VL 0819 and VE 0707 were used for this purpose, where the pressure was 0.2 MPa and the PA HEAD VLH-5 nozzle with a tip of 1.05 mm in diameter was used. In order to achieve more effective disinfection after applying the ethanol mist, samples were stored in PE foil in the conditions of 21 °C ± 1 °C for 22 ± 1 h. After applying the ethanol mist, changes in the properties of the materials were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The reduction in the number of microorganisms on modern cotton fabric after the use of ethanol in the form of mist at concentrations of 80% and 90% ranged from 93.27% to 99.91% for fungi and from 94.96% to 100% for bacteria, except for 74.24% for B. subtillis. On the historical fabric, after the time of application of 90% ethanol was shortened to 4 s, the microorganisms were reduced by over 99.93% and S. aureus was completely eliminated. After applying the tested disinfection technique, no changes in fiber morphology were observed on the surface of the model and historical cotton.

Recent Advances in Functionalization of Cotton Fabrics with Nanotechnology

Nowadays, consumers understand that upgrading their traditional clothing can improve their lives. In a garment fabric, comfort and functional properties are the most important features that a wearer looks for. A variety of textile technologies are being developed to meet the needs of customers. In recent years, nanotechnology has become one of the most important areas of research. Nanotechnology’s unique and useful characteristics have led to its rapid expansion in the textile industry. In the production of high-performance textiles, various finishing, coating, and manufacturing techniques are used to produce fibers or fabrics with nano sized (10⁻⁹) particles. Humans have been utilizing cotton for thousands of years, and it accounts for around 34% of all fiber production worldwide. The clothing industry, home textile industry, and healthcare industry all use it extensively. Nanotechnology can enhance cotton fabrics’ properties, including antibacterial activity, self-cleaning, UV protection, etc. Research in the field of the functionalization of nanotechnology and their integration into cotton fabrics is presented in the present study.

SEM/EDX analysis of stomach contents of a sea slug snacking on a polluted seafloor reveal microplastics as a component of its diet

Understanding the impacts of microplastics on living organisms in aquatic habitats is one of the hottest research topics worldwide. Despite increased attention, investigating microplastics in underwater environments remains a problematic task, due to the ubiquitous occurrence of microplastic, its multiple modes of interactions with the biota, and to the diversity of the synthetic organic polymers composing microplastics in the field. Several studies on microplastics focused on marine invertebrates, but to date, the benthic sea slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) were not yet investigated. Sea slugs are known to live on the organisms on which they feed on or to snack while gliding over the sea floor, but also as users of exogenous molecules or materials not only for nutrition. Therefore, they may represent a potential biological model to explore new modes of transformation and/or management of plastic, so far considered to be a non-biodegradable polymer. In this study we analysed the stomachal content of Bursatella leachii, an aplysiid heterobranch living in the Mar Piccolo, a highly polluted coastal basin near Taranto, in the northern part of the Ionian Sea. Microplastics were found in the stomachs of all the six sampled specimens, and SEM/EDX analyses were carried out to characterize the plastic debris. The SEM images and EDX spectra gathered here should be regarded as a baseline reference database for future investigations on marine Heterobranchia and their interactions with microplastics.

Hydrophobic cellulose-based and non-woven fabrics coated with mesoporous TiO2 and their virucidal properties under indoor light

Antiviral hydrophobic cellulose-based cotton or non-woven fabrics containing mesoporous TiO₂ particles were developed for potential use in healthcare and in other contaminated environments. Hydrosols made with the sol-gel method using two different amounts of the Ti precursor were applied to cotton and non-woven fabrics and their virucidal effect on Murine Coronavirus (MHV-3) and Human Adenovirus (HAdV-5) was evaluated under indoor light irradiation. The results show 90% reduction of HAdV-5 and up to 99% of MHV-3 in non-woven fabric, and 90% reduction of MHV-3 and no reduction of HAdV-5 in cotton fabric. The antiviral activity was related to the properties of the TiO₂ powders and coatings characterized by BET surface area, DRX, DLS, FTIR, DRS, SEM, TEM and water contact angle. The hydrophobic characteristic of the treated fabrics and the high surface area of the TiO₂ particles favor interaction with the virus, especially MHV-3. These results demonstrate that non-woven fabric and cotton, coated with TiO₂, can be highly effective in preventing contamination with MHV-3 and HAdV-5 viruses, particularly for applications in healthcare indoor environments.

Modulating the surface and mechanical properties of textile by oil-in-water emulsion design

The synergistic effect of oil viscosity and oil droplet size on the deposition profile of oil on cotton fabric was studied using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a model oil-in-water emulsion system. Under the same preparation conditions, low viscosity PDMS produced emulsions containing small droplets, which resulted in a uniform surface deposition profile, whilst high viscosity PDMS resulted in a localised deposition profile. Interfacial phenomena such as wicking and penetration of PDMS into cotton fabrics were found to be viscosity-dependent, which agrees with the surface deposition data. Both mechanical characterisation (friction, compression, stiffness) and consumer evaluation confirm that the fabrics treated by the emulsion containing low viscosity PDMS were preferred, suggesting that a homogeneous surface deposition and an excellent penetration profile of PDMS are critical for maximising tactile sensorial benefits, which could be accomplished by optimising the emulsion formulation to contain oil of low viscosity and small PDMS droplets.

The synergistic effect of oil viscosity and oil droplet size on the deposition profile of oil on cotton fabric was studied using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a model oil-in-water emulsion system.

Multifunctional Dyeing of Wool Fabrics Using Selenium Nanoparticles

This work aims to utilize selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) as a novel dyestuff, which endows wool fibers with an orange color because of their localized surface plasmon resonance. The color characteristics of dyed fibers were evaluated and analyzed. The color depth of the dyed fabrics under study was increased with the increase in Se content and dyeing temperature. The colored wool fabrics were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results indicated that spherical Se-NPs with a spherical shape were consistently deposited onto the surface of wool fibers with good distribution. In addition, the influence of high temperature on the color characteristics and imparted functionalities of the dyed fabrics were also investigated. The obtained results showed that the proposed dyeing process is highly durable to washing after 10 cycles of washes, and the acquired functionalities, mainly antimicrobial activity and UV-blocking properties, were only marginally affected, maintaining an excellent fastness property.

Recent Advances on Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Cotton Fabrics Containing Nanostructures

Hydrophilic cotton textiles, used in hospitals and sportswear, are prone to the growth of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) resulting in hygiene and health risks. Thus, healthcare concerns have motivated the interest for the development of multifunctional antimicrobial cotton fabrics. Moreover, cotton textiles are also used in medical applications such as wound dressings. Their functionalization with anti-inflammatory agents is desirable in order to accelerate cicatrisation in the treatment of chronic wounds. This review summarizes recent advances (from January 2016 to January 2021) on the modification and coating of cotton fabrics with nanostructures (mainly metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, functionalized silica nanoparticles) to provide them antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) and anti-inflammatory properties.

Nanocomposite Cellulose Fibres Doped with Graphene Oxide and Their Biocidal Properties

The paper presents a method of obtaining composite cellulose fibres (CEL) doped with graphene oxide (GO) and the influence of GO nanoparticles on the structure and properties of the obtained fibres. Composite fibres (GO/CEL) were prepared using wet method from 5% CEL solutions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIMAc) containing GO (0; 0.21; 0.50; 0.98; 1.97% w/w) dispersion in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The fibres were coagulated in distilled water and methanol. Optical microscopy allowed us to demonstrate a good degree of GO additive dispersion in the CEL matrix. Surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which indicated interactions between the matrix and the additive. Strength tests have shown that GO/CEL fibres are characterised by high values of elongation at break (7.7–19.5%) and tenacity (~133–287 [MPa]). The obtained composite fibres are characterized by good biocidal properties against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphilococcus aureus), and fungi Candida albicans, and the resistance to microorganisms depends on the surface zeta potential value and the isoelectric point (IEP) of GO/CEL fibres.

Mechanism of Antiwrinkle Finishing of Cotton Fabrics Using Mixed Polycarboxylic Acids

The kinetics, activation energy, and mechanism of esterification of cotton by mixed polycarboxylic acids, namely, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and citric acid (CA), were studied during the curing process of cotton fibers in comparison with the esterification by BTCA alone. The reaction rates of these two polycarboxylic acid finishing systems under different temperatures and the dependency of their reaction rate constants on temperature were studied. Consequently, in the temperature range from 120°C to 180°C, the activation energy of the mixed polycarboxylic acids (BTCA+CA) was obtained as Ea=40.7 kJ/mol, which was slightly lower than that for the BTCA finishing system. The reaction occurring between the carboxylic acid group of BTCA and the hydroxyl group of CA was proposed. To confirm and prove the speculation, experiments were conducted to investigate the changes in wrinkle recovery angle and tensile strength retention by changing the concentration of both the single polycarboxylic acid and mixed polycarboxylic acids. The results show that, besides esterification of cotton fibers, citric acid probably functioned as an extender in the curing process, when it was combined with BTCA.

NiO x Nanoflower Modified Cotton Fabric for UV Filter and Gas Sensing Applications

Integration of multifunctional nanomaterials with textiles could be a significant value addition to the bright future of the growing technology "Technical Textiles". Development of textiles with antielectromagnetic radiation and in particular antiultraviolet features could be one of the best solutions to the ozone depletion induced ultraviolet pollution of the environment, which is a major concern in the context of surging skin cancer cases. In this background, multifunctional nanoflower structured partial hydroxide nickel oxide (NiO _x) was grown on cotton fabric using a chemical bath deposition technique for the development of UV filter and flexible gas/chemical sensor. X-ray diffraction patterns of bare and NiO _x modified cotton fabrics confirmed the micro and poly crystalline nature, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopic images revealed the growth of 3D green button chrysanthemum flower-like morphology on the surface of cotton fabric. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectra revealed the presence of nickel, carbon, and oxygen elements in the NiO _x modified cotton cellulose. The increase in hydrophobic nature of surface-treated fabric was observed using a goniometer. A differential scanning calorimeter trace for bare and surface modified cotton fabrics exhibited endothermic behavior at the characteristic onset temperature. The results of thermogravimetric analysis revealed the enhanced thermal stability of up to 800 °C for the surface-treated fabric compared to bare cotton. Further, the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of the NiO _x nanoflower modified cotton fabric was measured using an in vitro method following the AATCC 183:2004 standard using a UV transmittance analyzer. The enhanced absorbance of ultraviolet rays at 388 nm resulted in the UPF of 2000. The chemical/gas sensing features of the surface modified textile samples were investigated using the homemade gas testing chamber. NiO _x modified fabric showed a selective response of 12431 toward trimethylamine at room temperature.

Ecofriendly Electrospun Membranes Loaded with Visible-Light-Responding Nanoparticles for Multifunctional Usages: Highly Efficient Air Filtration, Dye Scavenging, and Bactericidal Activity

Ambient particulate matter pollution has posed serious threats to global environment and public health. However, highly efficient filtration of submicron particles, the so-named "secondary pollution" caused by, e.g., bacterial growth in filters and the use of nondegradable filter materials, remains a serious challenge. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and konjac glucomannan (KGM)-based nanofiber membranes, loaded with ZnO nanoparticles, were prepared through green electrospinning and ecofriendly thermal cross-linking. Thus obtained fibrous membranes not only show highly efficient air-filtration performance but also show superior photocatalytic activity and antibacterial activity. The filtration efficiency of the ZnO@PVA/KGM membranes for ultrafine particles (300 nm) was higher than 99.99%, being superior to that of commercial HEPA filters. By virtue of the high photocatalytic activity, methyl orange was efficiently decolorized with a removal efficiency of more than 98% at an initial concentration of 20 mg L^-1 under 120 min of solar irradiation. A multifunctional membrane with high removal efficiency, low flow resistance, superior photocatalytic activity, and superior antibacterial activity was successfully achieved. It is conceivable that the combination of a biodegradable polymer and an active metal particle would form an unprecedented photocatalytic system, which will be quite promising for environmental remediation such as air filtration and water treatment.

Multifunctional Nanocomposite Cellulose Fibers Doped in Situ with Silver Nanoparticles

This paper presents a method for the preparation of nanocomposite cellulose fibers doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as well as the effect of silver nanoparticles on the structure and properties of fibers. The fibers were obtained by an environmentally friendly method using N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as a solvent, in a non-polluting closed system. Doping with silver nanoparticles was carried out as a direct (in situ) reduction of Ag⁺ ions in the presence of a stabilizing agent during the preparation of the spinning solution. SEM images of the surface and cross section of the fibers showed that the distribution of nanoparticles in the fibers' volume was uniform. The fibers exhibited very good antibacterial properties in relation to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans. Flammability analysis showed that the fibers were subjected to a one-stage combustion process and that the silver nanoparticles reduced the heat release rate (HRR) of the fibers by 36%. TG studies showed that the modification of cellulose fibers with silver nanoparticles promoted the formation of mill scale in the combustion of fibers, which was directly related to the reduction of flammability. Tests of the electrical properties showed that the linear resistance of cellulose fibers containing 3 wt % silver was 10⁸ Ω/cm.

Fabrication of superhydrophobic coatings with self-cleaning properties on cotton fabric based on Octa vinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polydimethylsiloxane (OV-POSS/PDMS) nanocomposite

HYPOTHESIS

Wetting behavior of solid surfaces plays an important role in various industrials and even daily life applications. Controlling the surface wettability through fabricating strongly hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties is achieved by tailoring surface topography and chemical composition. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSSs) are a class of hybrid materials with the possibility of hydrophobicity enhancement through simultaneous increase in surface roughness and reduction of surface energy.

EXPERIMENTS

In this study, octavinyl-POSS (OV-POSS) structures were utilized in fabrication of superhydrophobic cotton fabric. Coating was successfully performed through creating a two-layer topography via spraying method. In brief, surface roughness was enhanced by spraying a base layer of TiO₂ sol over the surface followed by applying a nanocomposite layer composed of 0.02 wt% of POSS in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

FINDINGS

It was observed that, water contact angle (WCA) of pristine and TiO₂ coated fabric was enhanced from 0° up to ∼168° using 0.02 wt% OV-POSS/PDMS nanocomposite with a water sliding angle (WSA) of <10°. According to the results, environmentally friendly nature of precursors, high thermal, mechanical and chemical stability, self-cleaning and anti-adhesion propertiesof the as-prepared coating and simple preparation method with no special post-treatment requirement, confirm that the as-prepared coating is perfect candidate for large-scaled applications.