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This work aims at studying the effect of treatment of wool fabric with different concentrations of water-dispersible amino siloxane polymer (AS) using exhaustion or pad-dry-cure techniques to impart durable silk-like softness with improved surface properties and comfortability. The effects of these modifications on the handle of wool as well as some of its chemical, physical, and mechanical properties were studied. The effect of treatment of wool fabric by AS on some of its comfort attributes; namely hydrophilicity and UPF was investigated. The change in the chemical composition of silicon-treated wool fabric was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) display that wool fabric treated with AS exhibited better surface smoothness and significant coating of wool scales, compared with the untreated one. The thermal and physical properties of the treated fabrics were studied using TGA and XRD. Results of this investigation proved that wool fabric treated by AS using exhaustion technique exhibited better comfort characteristics without opposing effect on their inherent properties than those treated using the pad-dry-cure technique.

We report on a simple technique for the production of mechanically durable water-repellent layer on viscose fibers via spray-coating of a lanolin-silicon rubber solution in petroleum ether. Depending on the silicon rubber solution concentration, it was achievable to gain surfaces with hierarchical morphology. Extracted lanolin was admixed with a mixture of a room temperature vulcanizing silicon rubber and petroleum ether to afford the silicon rubber-lanolin formulation, which was applied successfully onto viscose fabrics employing spray-coat procedure. The surface characteristics of the spray-coated viscose fibers were studied by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and static water contact and sliding angle measurements. The alteration in the chemical composition of viscose-treated fabric was studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The wetting behavior was found to be a function of silicon rubber concentration in ether solution affording coatings with high static water contact angle and low sliding angle values. The treated viscose fabric exhibited excellent ultraviolet protection and enhanced hydrophobicity without adverse effect on its inherent physico-mechanical properties. The comfort characteristics of spray-coated viscose fibers were also evaluated by studying their air-permeability and stiffness. The results displayed durable water-repellent properties of the treated viscose, introducing a good opportunity for a large-scale manufacture of water-repellent textiles for a diversity of industrial purposes.

This work was adopted to study the effect of sericin-containing bath on the different structures of knitted polyester fabrics to improve some of their comfort attributes. Without appreciable deterioration in its inherent properties, the different structures of treated polyester fabric exhibited induced hydrophilicity, enhanced electrical conductivity, improved resistance to ultraviolet radiation and better water vapour permeability. Five knitted polyester fabrics of different structures were saponified by sodium hydroxide to create carboxylate ions along their macromolecules, and then treated by sericin within freshly discharged bath from degumming of raw natural silk. Treatment of polyester fabrics with sericin was carried out in presence and absence of glutardialdehyde as a crosslinking agent between polyester and sericin macromolecules. Different thermo-physiological parameters of comfort; namely thermal conductivity/resistivity, air/water permeability, release of electrostatic charges, ultraviolet protection factor, and water vapour transmission of the sericin-treated as well as untreated knitted fabrics were assessed. The mechanism of interaction between knitted polyester fabric and sericin in presence of glutardialdehyde was proposed. Scanning electron microscopy was used to ascribe any alteration in the fibre morphology. The change in the fabric crystallinity was investigated using X-ray diffraction pattern. The burst strength, bending stiffness and yellowing index of the treated fabrics were in the acceptable range.

Two renewable proteinic biopolymers; namely keratin and sericin, were blended, each separately, with poly acrylonitrile (PAN) as a supporter for film formation. The said protein/PAN composite was reacted with potassium thiocyanate in a way which directs the reaction away from thiohydnation mechanism. The resulted proteinium thiocyanate salt was utilized in detection of iron III ion in water through formation of the colored iron III thiocyanate complex which can be detected colorimetrically. The obtained colour depends on the concentration of iron III ion in the tested water sample. Results of this investigation proved that the said protein/PAN composite is an appropriate candidate for detection of iron III ion in water. The mode of interaction between the starting materials after being processed with PAN was monitored by using amino acid analysis, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, gel electrophoresis, and protein content. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the surface characteristics of keratin/PAN/KSCN and sericin/PAN/KSCN films as well as their cross sections.

The development of multifunctional fabrics is an important purpose for their application in many fields. This study provided a simple approach for innovative textile design by applying the optical properties of Plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles. The utilization of feasible technique to functionalize both semi-synthetic and synthetic fabrics namely viscose and acrylic fabric has been accomplished. Where, fabrics functions have been developed by in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into their surface using trisodium citrate as multifunctional agent (reductant, stabilizer, and linker). The silver NPs incorporated into fabrics has been characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanism of assembling Ag NPs in situ incorporated fabric matrix has been discussed. The influence of silver nanoparticles on the coloration, UV-protection, and antibacterial properties of the fabrics has also been e...

Acrylic and keratin industrial wastes were dissolved, each separately, in their respective proper solvents. The soluble keratin was regenerated into powder and then mixed with the soluble acrylic to form an acrylic/keratin composite that was finally cast into film. The topography of the acrylic/keratin film was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition of the obtained film was assigned using elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The substantivity of the prepared acrylic/keratin film towards anionic (acid and reactive) and cationic (basic) dyes was studied. The obtained film exhibited high dyeability towards both acid and reactive dyes even at relatively low dyeing temperatures. Hydrazine hydrate was used to enhance the dyeability of the said film with acid and reactive dyes. Kinetic studies of the dyeing of the film with anionic dyes were also conducted.

Contaminated drinking water in many parts of the world causes acute health dilemma. An easily applicable method to detect this invisible hazard in domestic tap water is of prime importance. In this investigation we developed a spectro-photometric quantitative method for detection of free chlorine in domestic tap water using protein-based analytical stripes. Two renewable proteins; namely keratin and sericin were extracted from waste materials (coarse wool fleece and raw natural silk) and supported on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The formed protein/PVA composite was used as a hosting material for starch/potassium iodide reagent which liberates iodine upon interaction with free chlorine in water. The liberated iodine generates a measurable bluish colored complex with starch. Detection of chlorine in water was conducted in presence and absence of possible interfering moieties; Viz. elemental bromine as well as bromide and fluoride ions. Amino acid analysis, gel filtration chromatography and Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry monitored the alteration in the chemical composition of the extracted proteins. The proper method of storage and usage of the proposed analytical stripes was adopted by measuring the solubility of the prepared protein-based composite in water, alkali, and urea-bisulphite solution. The ability of the said composite to withstand deterioration from bacteria was also assessed. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the surface characteristic of the prepared composites. The proposed stripes are convenient to detect low range levels of free chlorine especially for drinking water or pools below to 4 ppm.

The multifunctional natural fabrics as colored, antibacterial and UV-protective fabrics were effectively prepared by in-situ incorporation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into the fabric matrix. Cotton and wool fabrics were used as natural fabrics and trisodium citrate was utilized as reductant for Ag + and stabilizer for Ag NPs. The formation of Ag NPs in the residual solutions was confirmed by UV/Vis spectra. Ag NPs on fabrics were shown by scanning electron microscopy and their size was in range of 20–90 nm and 70–150 nm for cotton and wool fabrics, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the stabilization action of citrate. As a result of surface plasmon resonance of Ag NPs, colored fabrics were produced with good fastness properties. Functional properties of treated fabrics indicate that, the in-situ incorporation of Ag NPs into fabric matrix was simultaneously imparted multifunctional properties (colorant, antibacterial action and UV-protection) into natural fabrics concurrently.

Keratin/polyvinyl alcohol (K/PVA) composite film was prepared from renewable natural resources; namely coarse wool, feather, camel hair, and human hair, by a simple cheap method. The thermal properties of the said composite; viz. differential scanning calorimetry and thermo-gravimetric analysis were studied. The hygroscopic behavior of K/PVA composite was monitored using moisture absorption test. Results revealed that the obtained K/PVA film exhibits thermal stability comparable with that of both the raw keratin and PVA. The moisture regain of K/PVA film is comparable with that of the starting material. The chemical composition of the bulk and the outermost 10 nanometer of native keratin as well as K/PVA composite were monitored using elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; respectively. The surface morphology of the formed keratin/PVA film was studied using scanning electron microscopy.

Microwave irradiation was used to reduce consumption of energy and time during bleaching of wool fabrics with hydrogen peroxide. The effect of some reaction conditions; viz. hydrogen peroxide concentration, treatment time, presence of stabilizer, on degree of whiteness imparted to bleached wool, was studied systematically. Comparative study between bleaching of wool using microwave irradiation and conventional heating was undergone. The effect of bleaching of wool on its morphological structure was assigned by scanning electron microscopy. The change in some chemical and physicomechanical characteristics of bleached wool was monitored; namely whiteness index, alkali solubility, wettability, critical surface area, tensile strength, and elongation at break, of the treated as well as untreated fabrics were measured. The microwave-assisted bleaching of wool resulted in improved degree of whiteness comparable to that is obtained using conventional heating method. However, the microwave-assisted bleached wool s...

In situ incorporation technique was used for coloration and acquiring excellent antibacterial properties for viscose fibers by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). AgNPs were prepared in situ and incorporated in viscose matrix directly without using any other reducing and stabilizing agents. The main objective of this research was to successfully employ the reducing and stabilizing features of cellulose to produce nanosilver-viscose composites. Coloration of fibers after in situ AgNPs incorporation is related to surface plasmon resonance of silver. Colorimetric data were recorded as a function of washings to characterize the final colored fibers. Fastness properties and silver release were all measured to study the washable and wear off properties. Depending on the silver concentration, yellowish colored fibers with different shades were produced. Good fastness properties were obtained after 20 washings without using any crosslinker or binder. The colored fibers had excellent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, even after 20 washings.

This investigation deals with obtaining bacterial-resistant keratin macromolecules holding built-in antimicrobial niches. Wool fabrics were sulphitolyzed using various concentrations of sodium metabisulfite at different temperatures, treatment times, and pH values. The effect of sulfitolysis of wool on its resistance towards bacteria, namely Escherichia coli (G –ve) and Staphylococcus aureus (G +ve), was assessed. The sulfitolyzed wool fabric withstands the deteriorative action of the aforementioned species without adverse effect on its desirable inherent properties. The change in the chemical composition of the treated wool fabrics was monitored using alkali solubility test, amino acid analysis, and elemental analysis. The influence of sulfitolysis of wool on its whiteness index as well as its tensile strength and elongation at break was also assessed.

Keratinous materials, namely, coarse wool or feather, were dissolved in mixture of alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in the presence of swelling and reducing agents. The obtained soluble keratin was mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) before being electro-spun into fibers. The protein content of the obtained composite was determined using Bradford method. Keratin/PVA (K/PVA) fibers were plasticized using aliphatic triol and cross-linked using bi-functional aldehyde. The amino acid composition in K/PVA regenerated fibers was determined. The change in the morphological structure of the said fibers relative to the starting native substrate was assigned using scanning electron microscopy. Results of this investigation clarify that the proposed method of dissolution and regeneration of keratin is suitable to obtain regenerated keratinous fibers with outstanding resistance to moth larvae attack.

This work aims to study the effect of pretreatment of wool fabrics with two imidazolium-based ionic liquids to impart durable antimicrobial properties. The used ionic liquids, cationic in nature, were ionically bonded to the anionic sites along the keratin macromolecules. These anionic sites have been enriched via treatment with the presynthesized anionic agent (AA) (sodium 4-(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)-benzenesulfonate). The effect of the treatment temperature of wool fabric with the AA, liquor ratio as well as the pH on the exhaustion percentage was studied. Antibacterial activity of the treated wool fabric towards Gram –ve bacteria (Escherichia coli), and fastness to washing were examined. The chemical structure of the synthesized AA was elucidated using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

Salicylic acid and three of its derivatives were used to provide antibacterial properties to viscose fabrics. The four bactericides used were bonded to the viscose fabrics using epichlorohydrin or polymer binders. Optimization of the salicylic acid and its derivatives as well as the concentration of polymers was reported. The ability of the polymer binders to attract and bind the four bactericides was observed. The overall results show that the antibacterial reactivity of salicylic acid and its derivatives are in the following order 5-bromosalicylic acid>salicylic acid>5-chlorosalicylic acid>4-chlorosalicylic acid. Using epichlorohydrin as a binding agent, unfortunately, inhibits the bactericidal activity of the four bactericides. The FTIR study concludes that the reaction between salicylic acid as well as its derivatives with epichlorohydrin takes place through the phenolic group of the acids. The unexpected deterioration in the bactericidal properties of salicylic acid and its derivatives as a result of the treatment with epichlorohydrin could be due to the nature of interaction between the epichlorohydrin molecule and the acids molecules. PVP and PU show superior ability to sustain the four bactericides used even after 10 washing cycles.