Search

Cellulose produced by bacteria (BC) is considered a promising material for the textile industry, but the fragile and sensitive nature of BC membranes limits their broad applicability. Production of all-cellulose biocomposites, in which the BC is cultivated in situ on a cotton fabric, could solve this problem, but here a new issue arises, namely poor adhesion. To overcome this challenge, cotton fabric was modified with low-pressure oxygen plasma in either afterglow, E-mode, or H-mode. All-cellulose biocomposites were prepared in situ by placing the samples of cotton fabric in BC culture medium and incubating for 7 days to allow BC microfibril networks to form on the fabric. Modification of cotton fabric with oxygen plasma afterglow led to additional functionalization with polar groups, and modification with oxygen plasma in H-mode led also to etching and surface roughening of the cotton fibers, which improved the adhesion within the biocomposite. In addition, these biocomposites showed higher deformation capacities. Modification of the cotton fabric over a longer period in E-mode was found to be unsuitable, as this caused strong etching, which led to the defibrillation of cotton fibers and poor adhesion of BC. This study highlights the potential of low-pressure plasma treatment as an environmentally friendly method to improve the performance of cellulose-based biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose is an abundant natural polymer and is thus promising for enforcing biobased plastics. A broader application of cellulose fibers as a filler in polymer composites is limited because of their hydrophilicity and hygroscopicity. The recent scientific literature on plasma methods for the hydrophobization of cellulose materials is reviewed and critically evaluated. All authors focused on the application of plasmas sustained in fluorine or silicon-containing gases, particularly tetrafluoromethane, and hexamethyldisiloxane. The cellulose materials should be pre-treated with another plasma (typically oxygen) for better adhesion of the silicon-containing hydrophobic coating. In contrast, deposition of fluorine-containing coatings does not require pre-treatment, which is explained by mild etching of the cellulose upon treatment with F atoms and ions. The discrepancy between the results reported by different authors is explained by details in the gas phase and surface kinetics, including the heating of samples due to exothermic surface reactions, desorption of water vapor, competition between etching and deposition, the influence of plasma radiation, and formation of dusty plasma. Scientific and technological challenges are highlighted, and the directions for further research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article presents green in situ synthesis of ZnO directly on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics using pomegranate peel extract. The surface of PET was activated by environmentally friendly oxygen plasma, and the process was compared to alkali treatment where the extract of wood ash was used instead of classical chemicals. Sorption analysis showed that the hydrophilic character of the plasma-treated sample was much better than that of the alkali-treated and untreated samples. Both treatments slightly decreased the breaking strength and elongation of the fabric. Scanning electron microscopy, colour measurements, dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and antioxidant activity investigations showed that the ZnO particles were successfully synthesised on alkali- and plasma-treated PET. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results showed that ellagic acid and punicalagin were the most abundant compounds in the pomegranate peel extract that enabled the synthesis of ZnO. The UV protection, amount of ZnO, and uniformity were the highest for the ZnO prepared on the PET samples by the plasma-assisted green synthesis. Additional optical assessment of fabric porosity and thickness measurements confirmed that these fabrics have excellent UV protection due to the presence of ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an eco-friendly protocol for the hydrophilization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric and the in situ synthesis of ZnO particles. The alkaline medium and reducing agent for ZnO synthesis were prepared as aqueous extracts from wood ash and pomegranate peel, respectively. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the PET fabric, oxygen plasma treatment was included in the process. The influence of plasma treatment in different synthesis steps on the formation of ZnO and consequently on the morphological, colour and ultraviolet (UV) protective properties of the samples was discussed. The study showed that incorporating oxygen plasma treatment before immersing the samples in each solution for the ZnO in situ synthesis (natural alkaline medium of wood ash, zinc salt and natural reducing agent from pomegranate peel) produced PET fabric with the most uniform ZnO layer without visible cracks and the highest UV-blocking ability with a UV protection factor (UPF) of 300+. The colour measurements showed that increasing the number of plasma treatments leads to higher colour strength of the samples. Herein, a novel protocol for the production of protective PET fabrics is presented, which is also an example of a completely environmentally benign textile functionalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cellulose-based textiles that are functionalised with silver nanoparticles (AgNP), synthesised according to a green approach, and offer protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pathogenic bacteria is very important today. In the present work we demonstrate the environmentally friendly approach to obtain such textile material by AgNP synthesis directly (in-situ) on cotton fabrics, using water extracts of plant food waste (green tea leaves, avocado seed and pomegranate peel) and alien invasive plants (Japanese knotweed rhizome, goldenrod flowers and staghorn sumac fruit) as reducing agents. The extracts were analysed for their total content of phenols and flavonoids and their antioxidant activity. The synthesised AgNP on cotton were round, of different size and amount depending on the reducing agent used. The highest amount of AgNP was found for samples where Japanese knotweed rhizome extract was used as reducing agent and the lowest where extracts of goldenrod flowers and green tea leaves were used. Regardless of the reducing agent used to form AgNP, all cotton samples showed excellent protection against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria and against UV radiation with UV protection factor values above 50. The best results for UV protection even after the twelve repetitive washing cycles were found for the sample functionalized with AgNP synthesised with an extract of the Japanese knotweed rhizome. Due to the presence of AgNP on cotton, the air permeability and thermal conductivity decreased. AgNP had no effect on the change in breaking strength or elongation of fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial microencapsulated photoresponsive dye was applied on cotton, polyester/cotton and polyester fabric using a pad-dry-cure process. Colour fastness of the photoresponsive fabrics to washing, wet cleaning, dry cleaning, rubbing and light was investigated. The CIELAB colour values of the fabrics before and after testing were measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer, and the colour differences were calculated to evaluate the fastness properties. The fabrics had better colour fastness to wet cleaning and washing than to dry cleaning. The fabrics showed higher colour fastness to wet than to dry rubbing. The photoresponsiveness of the fabrics decreased with prolonged exposure time to artificial light due to low photostability of the microcapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose fabrics made from 100 % cotton with antibacterial and UV protective properties were successfully created by loading of Ag/TiO nanocomposite during and after dyeing with yellow, red and blue reactive dye. Blank dyeing (dyeing with all chemicals except dye) was performed to show that reactive dyes have an ability to increase the adsorption and adhesion of Ag/TiO nanocomposite on cotton fabrics. The colour of the samples before and after washing and exposure to artificial light was measured by reflectance spectroscopy. The presence of nanocomposite on samples was confirmed by scanning electron microscope. The increased adsorption capacity of cotton towards Ag/TiO nanocomposite due to the presence of reactive dyes was confirmed by measuring the quantity of silver using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The same samples showed excellent UV protective properties with UV protection factor (UPF 50+), and excellent antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. Due to a good adhesion of nanocomposite on samples where loading of nanocomposite and dyeing with reactive dye was performed simultaneously, the samples retained their excellent protective properties after repetitive washing cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve colourful and antibacterial textiles using ecologically friendly processes, cotton and bamboo rayon knitted fabrics were treated using radio-frequency low-pressure water vapour plasma and dyed with the extract of Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed) rhizome. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to observe plasma during the sample treatment and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study morphological changes of samples. The adsorption of F. japonica on cellulose substrates was studied by measuring the colour (CIE L*a*b*) and colour yield (K/S) of dyed samples. The antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were tested as well. The results show that water vapour plasma induces weak etching effect on the surface of the cellulose samples, since water molecules in plasma dissociate to produce hydroxyl radicals and oxygen atoms. Plasma-treated samples had higher dye uptake, and better antibacterial properties against S. aureus. The samples did not have antibacterial properties against E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen plasma pre-treatment was applied to cotton fabric with the aim of improving the water repellency performance of an inorganic-organic hybrid sol-gel perfluoroalkyl-functionalized polysilsesquioxane coating. Cotton fabric was pre-treated with low-pressure oxygen plasma for different treatment times and operating powers. Afterward, 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (SiF) was applied to the cotton fabric samples using the pad-dry-cure method. The surfaces of the untreated and modified cotton fibers were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The water repellency of the SiF-coated fabric samples was evaluated using static and sliding contact angle measurements with water. The results show that the plasma treatment with the shortest treatment time (10 s) and the lowest operating current (0.3 A) increased the atomic oxygen/carbon ratio of the cotton fiber surface from 0.6 to 0.8 and induced the formation of a nano-sized grainy surface. Increasing the plasma treatment time and/or operating current did not intensify the surface changes of the cotton fibers. Such saturation effects were explained by the large influence of reactive oxygen atoms during the plasma treatment. The measured static water contact angles on the surface of the untreated and plasma pre-treated and SiF-coated cotton fabrics showed that the oxygen plasma pre-treatment enabled the increase of the water contact angle from 135° to ≈150°, regardless of the applied plasma treatment time and discharge power. This improvement in the hydrophobicity of the SiF coating was followed by a decrease in the sliding angle of water droplets by more than 10° compared to the plasma untreated and SiF-coated sample characterized by a water sliding angle of 45°. Additionally, measurements of the water sliding angle revealed that the increase of the static contact angle from 149° to 150° corresponded to a drop of the water sliding angle from 33 to 24°, which suggests that the plasma pre-treatment of 20 s at an operating current of 0.3 A produced the best water-repellent performance of the SiF-coated cotton fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface morphology of woven cotton fabrics was modified by treatment with mild plasma created in tetrafluoromethane (CF4) at the pressure of 60 Pa. Samples of dimensions 20 cm × 20 cm were mounted into a 27-cm-wide cylindrical plasma reactor powered with a radio frequency generator of frequency 27.12 MHz and output power of about 500 W. The volume of the reactor was 17 l and the corresponding power density was solely 30 W/l. The plasma density was estimated with a double electrical probe and was about 2 × 109 cm−3. The type of radicals created in plasma was determined using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). No CFx and a negligible amount of F radicals were observed by OES, and surprisingly the predominant spectral features were CO bands. The evolution of surface morphology vs. plasma treatment time was monitored by scanning electron microscopy. Originally smooth fibers became extremely rough after prolonged treatment. The results were explained by etching of fibers with gases released from the samples upon plasma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of water vapor plasma on the adsorption of UV absorber during the reactive dyeing of bleached and mercerized cotton fabric was examined. Exhaust dyeing of untreated and plasma-treated cotton was performed using a reactive dye Cibarcon Deep Red S-B and a commercial UV absorber Tinofast CEL. Blank dyeing was performed as a control experiment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the presence of the UV absorber on the cotton fabric, whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze surface changes of untreated and plasma-treated dyed samples. The CIELAB color values and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of the samples were determined spectrophotometrically. Wash and light fastness of samples was performed also. The results reveal that the UPF of cotton increases after UV absorber treatment and that plasma treatment increases the adsorption of UV absorber during dyeing process, especially at higher dye concentrations. The enhanced adsorption of UV absorber onto plasma-treated cotton is the result of the increased concentration of oxygen containing functional groups on the cotton surface after plasma treatment, confirmed by XPS. The UPF of plasma-treated cotton samples is decreased after washing and increased after exposure to xenon light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weakly ionised gaseous plasma created in a moist tetrafluoromethane gas at a low pressure with an electrodeless radiofrequency discharge was applied to modify the surface properties of cellulose fibres. The plasma was used to increase the adsorption of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles such that cellulose fibres with good ultraviolet (UV) protective properties could be created. The UV protection factor (UPF) values of the ZnO-functionalised fibres were determined as a function of the plasma treatment time. The chemical and physical surface properties of the plasma-treated fibres were examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and wettability tests. The quantity of zinc on the fibres was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The results indicated that 30 s of plasma treatment resulted in ZnO-functionalised samples with lower UPF values than samples without plasma treatment due to the creation of fluorine-rich functional groups on cellulose fibres and the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles. The highest UPF values (50+) were obtained when samples were treated with plasma for 10 s. These high UPF values were a result of the increased adsorption of uniformly distributed ZnO nanoparticles caused by fibres surface functionalization and roughening upon plasma treatment. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of textiles treated with moist CF plasma for 10 s were slightly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface modification of cellulose fibres was performed with the use of low-pressure water vapour plasma, followed by the application of a pad-dry-cure sol-gel coating with the water- and oil-repellent organic-inorganic hybrid precursor fluoroalkyl-functional siloxane (FAS), with the aim of creating the 'lotus effect' on the cotton fabric surface. The tailored 'lotus effect' was confirmed by measurements of the contact angle of water (154°) and n-hexadecane (140°), as well as by measurements of the water sliding angle (7°), which were used to identify the super-hydrophobic, oleophobic and self-cleaning properties of the modified fibres. The chemical and morphological changes caused by modifications of the fibres were investigated by XPS, FTIR, AFM and SEM. The results show that the plasma pre-treatment simultaneously increased the surface polarity, average roughness, and surface area of the fabric. The application of the FAS coating after plasma pre-treatment caused only a slight increase in the surface roughness, accompanied by a decrease in the surface area, indicating that the architecture of the surface was significantly changed. This result suggests that the surface pattern affected the 'lotus effect' more than the average surface roughness. The plasma pre-treatment increased the effective concentration of the FAS network on the fabric, which resulted in enhanced repellency before and after repetitive washing, compared with that of the FAS-coated fabric sample without the plasma pre-treatment. Despite the fact that the plasma pre-treatment increased the concentration of the oxygen-containing functional groups on the fabric surface, this phenomenon insignificantly contributed to the adhesion ability and, consequently, the washing fastness of the FAS coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bleached, mercerized cotton fabrics were used in this research. In the first phase, the dyeing of cotton fabrics with a blue vat dye Bezathren Blau BCE was performed, and in the second phase, the dyed fabrics were immersed into a colloidal silver solution. The colloidal silver solution was prepared via synthesis from AgNO3 and reduced with NaBH4. Parent cotton fabrics were also immersed into the colloidal silver solution. A comparison of the quantity of silver on the parent and vat-dyed cotton fabrics was performed. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed a silver content that was almost two times higher on the dyed and silver-treated cotton fabrics. All samples (parent and dyed) treated in the colloidal silver solution showed excellent antimicrobial activity. The fiber surfaces were imaged using a scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of vat-dyed and vat-dyed silver-treated fabrics and the wash fastness of silver-treated samples were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In an attempt to use minimal concentrations, initially, of silver nanoparticles for loading onto textiles and to achieve maximum concentrations on the material, CF4 low-pressure plasma was used on bleached and mercerized cotton fabric. The concentrations of silver on the fabrics were determined by the ICP-MS method (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry), the morphology of fiber surfaces was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study was used for the evaluation of surface chemical changes. The antibacterial effect of silver loaded fabrics was tested against Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The best results were found for plasma-treated cotton fabric functionalized with 30 nm silver particles. The results show effective plasma etching of the fabric surface, which caused excellent adhesion of silver particles. Color measurements of dyed samples showed that CF 4 plasma does not affect the color of dyed cotton. The mechanical properties of cotton remain unaltered after plasma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this research was to use Ar/N2 (50%:50%) plasma to increase the adhesion of nano silver particles to raw polyester fabric. RUCO-BAC AGP was applied using the exhaust method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed differences in surface composition between the Ar/N2 plasma-treated and untreated raw fabrics. The Ar/N2 plasma treatment was found to increase the surface carbon concentration and decrease the concentration of C-O and O-C=O groups on the surface. After plasma etching, the specific surface of the polyester fabric and properties related to it were found to change significantly. This change was confirmed by a decrease in the whiteness index and an increase in the dyeability of the polyester fabric with disperse dye. Morphological changes in the surface of plasma-treated polyester fabric enabled greater adhesion of nano silver particles and increased the antimicrobial effect with respect to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of water vapor plasma on chemical, morphological and mechanical properties of bleached and mercerized cotton fabric was studied. Reactive exhaust dyeing was used for loading of nano silver. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy results show that plasma treatment enhanced nano silver adhesion to the fabric, which also contributed to antimicrobial effectiveness to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Surface changes of plasma treated cotton were observed with scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show the decrease of C-C bonds in favor of C-O, O-C-O, C=O, and O=C-O bonds and higher O/C atomic ratio in plasma treated fibers. Mechanical properties of cotton yarn after plasma treatment remained unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the antibacterial and other properties of polyester fabrics previously functionalized by corona and/or silver nano particles have been studied. Corona air plasma was used as a pretreatment of raw, washed and washed-thermostabilized polyester fabrics to increase the adhesion of nano silver particles resulting in an excellent antibacterial effect. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was applied to analyze the surface composition and chemical bonding of the surface atoms on untreated and treated fabrics. The surface morphological changes of polyester fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The quantity of silver on the polyester fabrics was determined by the use of the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry method. The antimicrobial properties of functionalized polyester fabrics were tested according to American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM Designation: E 2149-01. Additionally, the dyeing of polyester fabrics with selected disperse dye as well as capillary action tests were performed to confirm the chemical and morphological changes of polyester fibers after corona treatment. Considerable differences in surface composition were found between the raw and washed or washed-thermostabilized fabrics. The surface of raw fabrics is richer in carbon and the concentrations of the C--O and O--C=O groups are lower than on the other samples. An opposite effect is observed for washed and washed thermostabilized fabrics. SEM analyses show that the plasma treatment also affects the surface morphology. The chemical surface composition and morphology are highly related to the hydrophobicity and hydrophylicity, and the achievement of better nano silver adhesion and enhanced dyeing and antimicrobial properties of differently prepared corona plasmatreated polyester fabrics. Therefore, corona airtreated raw polyester fabrics demonstrated optimum antimicrobial properties due to the excellent adhesion of nano silver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to determine the influence of temperature, pH, and the addition of sodium oxide silicium oxide (soso) on the dyeability of cotton warp during the process of dip-dyeing. A simulation of the dip-dyeing technique was used. The results show a negligible influence of dip-dyeing bath temperature on the color yield of cotton warp. Lower pH values of dip-dyeing baths cause better dyeability. Addition of soso has a particular influence on the color yield of cotton warp. As a result, the dip-dyeing procedure is shortened when soso is used. The change of color of dip-dyed cotton warp, depending on different pH of the baths and on the addition of soso, was studied using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. XRD showed that the dyeing conditions do not affect the crystallographic form of indigo, which is form B in all cases. On the other hand, SEM revealed the reasons for the observed effects in the differences in the morphology of the indigo crystallites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of pH-responsive textile sensors has attracted much interest in recent decades. Therefore, the aim of this study was to show that screen printing could be one of the possible techniques for development of pH-responsive textile. Several parameters that could influence the pH sensitivity and responsivity of a screen-printed textile with bromocresol green dye were studied, such as textile substrate (cotton, polyamide), printing paste composition, and type of fixation (heat and steaming). The change in mechanical and physical properties of the printed fabrics was tested according to the valid ISO, EN, or ASTM standards. The responsiveness of the printed samples to different pH values with the change in colour was evaluated spectrophotometrically. In addition, the colour fastness of the printed textiles to rubbing, washing, and light was also investigated. The results show that the textile responsiveness to pH change was successfully developed by flat screen-printing technique, which proves that the printing process could be one of the methods for the application of indicator dye to textiles. The application of the printing paste to cotton and polyamide fabrics resulted in an expected change in the mechanical and physical properties of the fabrics studied. The responsiveness of printed fabrics to the change of pH value depends on the type of fibres, the strength of dye–fibre interactions, and the wettability of the fabric with buffer solutions. The colour fastness of the printed fabrics to dry and wet rubbing is excellent. Printed polyamide fabric is more resistant to washing than printed cotton fabric. Both printed fabrics have poor colour fastness to light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents two protocols for the green in situ synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) on cotton with the aim to develop sustainable cotton fabric with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). The protocols differed in the order of immersing cotton fabric in reactive solutions of three batches, i.e., precursor (0.1 M zinc acetate dihydrate), reducing agent (aqueous extract of Japanese knotweed leaves) and alkali (wood ash waste). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed that ZnO-NP were successfully synthesised on cotton using both protocols; however, only the protocol where cotton was first immersed in alkali, then in the precursor and, lastly, in the reducing agent enabled very high UPF and higher amount of Zn present on the sample. Due to the different order of cotton fabric immersion in the reactive solutions, dissimilar morphology of the ZnO particles was observed, which resulted in different UV blocking abilities of the samples. The antioxidant analysis (DPPH) showed that the natural reducing agent prepared from Japanese knotweed leaves has very high antioxidant activity, which is attributed to phenolic compounds present in the plant. The reflectance spectroscopy results confirmed that the colour yield and colour of the samples did not influence the UPF value. This protocol is an example of green circular economy where waste materials of invasive alien plant species and pellet heating was used as a natural source of phytochemicals, for the direct synthesis of ZnO-NP to develop cotton fabric with UV-protective properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton fabric was exposed to low-pressure capacitively coupled plasma to enhance the adsorption and adhesion of fragrance microcapsules (FCM). Two plasma-forming gases, namely oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2), were investigated. The untreated and plasma-treated samples were investigated for their morphological changes by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical properties (breaking force, elongation, and flexural rigidity), and wicking properties. The cotton samples were functionalized with FCM and the effect of plasma pretreatment on the adsorption and adhesion of FCM was evaluated using SEM, air permeability, fragrance intensity of unwashed and washed cotton fabrics, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the plasma containing either of the two gases increased the wicking of the cotton fabric and that the O2 plasma caused a slight etching of the fibers, which increased the tensile strength of the cotton fabric. Both plasma gases caused changes that allowed higher adsorption of FCM. However, the adhesion of FCM was higher on the cotton treated with N2 plasma, as evidenced by a strong fragrance of the functionalized fabric after repeated washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the novel and entirely green in situ synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) on cotton fabric. Pomegranate peel extract was used as a reducing agent and wood ash extract was used as an alkali source for the formation of ZnO-NP from zinc acetate. Four different synthesis methods, which varied in drying between immersion of fabric in the active solutions for synthesis and the use of padding and ultrasonication, were investigated to evaluate the most suitable one to achieve excellent ultraviolet (UV) protective properties of the functionalized textile. For comparison, the cotton fabrics were also functionalized with each active solution separately or in a combination of two (i.e., Zn-acetate and plant extract). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirm the successful formation of ZnO-NP on cotton. Among the synthesis methods, the method that included continuous drying of the samples between immersion in the active solutions for synthesis (Method 4) was found to be the most suitable to deliver uniformly impregnated cotton fibers with numerous small ZnO wurtzite structured crystals and excellent UV protection, with a UV protection factor of 154.0. This research presents an example of a green circular economy where a bio-waste material can be used to produce ZnO-NP directly on cotton at low temperatures and short treatment times without the addition of chemicals and enables the production of cellulosic fabrics with excellent UV protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to investigate the possibility of using wine industry wastes, such as red and white grape bagasse, to produce bacterial cellulose (BC) instead of using a costly commercial medium. BC was produced using grape bagasse as a carbon source replacement and the sole nutrient in the medium. The BC films were evaluated for their productivity and water-holding capacity. The BC films were also investigated for their morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), their viscoelastic properties using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and their chemical composition using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Although the use of grape bagasse as the sole nutrient was successful in the preparation of BC, the BC films had inferior viscoelastic properties to other produced BC films. White grape bagasse proved to be an excellent carbon substitute as the production of BC and its water-holding capacity were five times higher and the produced BC films were up to 72% more flexible than the bacterial cellulose produced using standard HS medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of recent work on the low-temperature plasma-assisted synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is presented and interpreted in terms of gas-phase and surface reactions with illustrated examples. The thermodynamical nonequilibrium conditions allow the formation of chemically reactive species with a potential energy of several eV, which readily interact with the Zn precursors and initiate reactions leading to the formation of nanoparticles or nanowires. The high-quality nanowires were synthesized from Zn powders only upon interaction with moderately ionized plasma in a narrow range of plasma parameters. This technique is promising for the synthesis of large quantities of nanowires with aspect ratios well above 10, but the exact range of parameters remains to be determined. Apart from the ex situ techniques, the ZnO nanoparticles can be synthesized by depositing a film of precursors (often Zn salts or Zn-containing organometallic compounds) and exposing them to oxygen plasma. This technique is useful for the synthesis of well-adherent ZnO nanoparticles on heat-sensitive objects but requires further scientific validation as it often leads to the formation of a semicontinuous ZnO film rather than nanoparticles. Both low-pressure and atmospheric plasmas are useful in converting the precursor film into ZnO nanoparticles despite completely different mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defluorination of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface film is a suitable technique for tailoring its surface properties. The influence of discharge parameters on the surface chemistry was investigated systematically using radio-frequency inductively coupled H2 plasma sustained in the E- and H-modes at various powers, pressures and treatment times. The surface finish was probed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The measurements of water contact angles (WCA) showed increased wettability of the pristine PTFE; however, they did not reveal remarkable modification in the surface chemistry of the samples treated at various discharge parameters. By contrast, the combination of XPS and ToF-SIMS, however, revealed important differences in the surface chemistry between the E- and H-modes. A well-expressed minimum in the fluorine to carbon ratio F/C as low as 0.2 was observed at the treatment time as short as 1 s when plasma was in the H-mode. More gradual surface chemistry was observed when plasma was in the E-mode, and the minimal achievable F/C ratio was about 0.6. The results were explained by the synergistic effects of hydrogen atoms and vacuum ultraviolet radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak photostability of photochromic dyes applied to textile substrates is one of the disadvantages of the broader use of photochromic dyes in the textile industry. Therefore, the influence of optical brightener concentration on both the photocoloration and photostability of cotton fabric coated with photochromic microcapsules using a pad-dry-cure process, as well as the physical-mechanical properties and colorfastness properties, were studied in this research. Coated samples were subjected to different tests according to valid EN ISO standards; namely mass per unit area, fabric stiffness, breaking force and elongation, air permeability, and different colorfastness properties (rubbing, domestic and commercial laundering, and light). Results showed that the coated fabric had higher mass per unit area, stiffness, breaking force and elongation and lower air permeability compared to uncoated fabric, irrespective of the padding bath composition. Coated fabric has better colorfastness to wet than dry rubbing. The colorfastness to washing decreases with the increased number of washing cycles. The use of optical brightener decreases the photocoloration of coated fabric and increases the photostability of coated fabric after the exposure of samples to a Xenotest apparatus for longer than 12 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of ZnO for the functionalization of textile substrates is growing rapidly, since it can provide unique multifunctional properties, such as photocatalytic self-cleaning, antimicrobial activity, UV protection, flame retardancy, thermal insulation and moisture management, hydrophobicity, and electrical conductivity. This paper aims to review the recent progress in the fabrication of ZnO-functionalized textiles, with an emphasis on understanding the specificity and mechanisms of ZnO action that impart individual properties to the textile fibers. The most common synthesis and application processes of ZnO to textile substrates are summarized. The influence of ZnO concentration, particle size and shape on ZnO functionality is presented. The importance of doping and coupling procedures to enhance ZnO performance is highlighted. The need to use binding and seeding agents to increase the durability of ZnO coatings is expressed. In addition to functional properties, the cytotoxicity of ZnO coatings is also discussed. Future directions in the use of ZnO for textile functionalization are identified as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This white paper considers the future of plasma science and technology related to the manufacturing and modifications of plastics and textiles, summarizing existing efforts and the current state‐of‐art for major topics related to plasma processing techniques. It draws on the frontier of plasma technologies in order to see beyond and identify the grand challenges which we face in the following 5–10 years. To progress and move the frontier forward, the paper highlights the major enabling technologies and topics related to the design of surfaces, coatings and materials with non‐equilibrium plasmas. The aim is to progress the field of plastics and textile production using advanced plasma processing as the key enabling technology which is environmentally friendly, cost‐efficient, and offers high‐speed processing. This white papers tries to outline the future of plasma science and technology related to plastics and textiles with the current state‐of‐the‐art and grand challenges, which needs to be addressed to move the frontier of this field. Readers will learn where we stand today, and where do we want to go in the future. It is a "navigation chart" for plasma in plastics and textiles for everyone who is interested in the field! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Raw cotton fabrics have been exposed to low-pressure non-equilibrium gaseous plasma to improve the adsorption of natural dyes as well as ultraviolet (UV) protection factor. Plasma created in a glass tube by an electrodeless radiofrequency (RF) discharge was created either in oxygen or ammonia at the pressure of 50 Pa to stimulate formation of oxygen and nitrogen groups, respectively. The type and concentration of functional groups was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and morphological modifications by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The colour yield for curcumin dye was improved significantly for samples treated with ammonia plasma what was explained by bonding of the dye to surface of amino groups. Contrary, the yield decreased when oxygen plasma treatment was applied due to the negatively charged surface that repels the negatively charged dye molecules. The effect was even more pronounced when using green tea extract as the colouring agent. The colour difference between the untreated and ammonia plasma treated sample increased linearly with plasma treatment time reaching the factor of 3.5 for treatment time of 300 s. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) was over 50 indicating excellent protection due to improved adsorption of the dye on the ammonia plasma treated samples. Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]