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The hydrophobic nature of wool caused by the surface lipid barrier impedes any wet processes of wool fibers. The conventional methods that utilize alkaline solutions for removing this lipid layer a...

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.

Production of textile garments with pleasant aesthetic property is always a customer-demand; and the application of eco-friendlier methods to attain this target is driven by the environmental legislation all over the world. The main aim of this study is improving garment appearance and performance attributes of wool fabric by two-consecutive benign processes using bio- and chemical treatments. Two commercial proteases were used in bio-treatment of wool under their respective appropriate conditions. The bio-treated wool fabrics were modified with an aqueous solution of a water-dispersible cationic softener based on poly amino siloxane (PAS). The effects of these treatments on some of the physical and mechanical properties of wool fabric were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows the descaled surface of bio-treated wool, and the coated fibre surface of AS-treated wool. Results of this investigation showed that the drapability, and hence the aesthetic property, of the treated fabric was improved. Based on the bending length, drape coefficient, wettability, smoothness, yellowness index, and AC electrical conductivity of the treated wool fabrics, selected samples were assigned to be used in prediction of the garment appearance using CLO3D simulation software.

Felting shrinkage of wool is a major problem which has negative impacts on its performance attributes. Traditional chemical methods used for shrink-resist finishing are suffering from some drawback...

Development of conductive fabrics causes usually deterioration of the some of the comfort attributes of the final textile product. In this work, we propose a simple non-deteriorative method for preparation of electrical conductive fabrics based on wool and polyester as well as the blended fabric thereof. The unmodified fabrics or saponified polyester or oxidized wool were treated in aqueous solution containing heavy metal ion salts, namely, silver nitrate, copper II sulfate using exhaustion technique at 70°C for 1 h followed by reduction step. Nano zinc oxide was also used directly for treatment on the said fabrics. The electrical conductivity of the metal ions-treated fabrics and the influence of sewing on their conductivity was measured. The effect of pretreatment of the fabrics, saponification of polyester or oxidation of wool on their ability to absorb metal ions was monitored. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to prove the incorporation of metal particles onto the treated fabrics. The change in chemical composition of the treated fabrics was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Atomic absorption was adopted to measure the amount of metal incorporated onto the treated fabrics. The formation of nanometal crystals was proved using X-ray diffraction pattern. Different parameters of comfort, namely, air/water permeability of the treated as well as untreated fabrics were assessed. The treated fabrics exhibit enhanced electrical conductivity as well as some improved comfort properties without any effect on their inherent mechanical properties.

Ever since the Stone Age, humans have preferred natural products and materials for better health and comfortability. Wool and natural silk have been used in the textile clothing thousands of years ago. The performance and appearance attributes of wool and silk make them superior for many applications. On the other hand, the textile industries are technically, economically, socially, and environmentally related to some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030. For instance, the item number 12 in the SDGs aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production pattern. This necessitates proper utilization of all natural products as well as recycling and utilization of any waste thereof. This article review deals with retrieval of wastes or by-products during wet processing of proteinic fibres; namely wool and silk. Different ways of proper utilization of the retrieved materials will be proposed. Specifically, we will focus mainly on three main by-products; namely keratinous materials, wool wax, and sericin. State of the art and future prospects for the utilization of these materials in the production of textile auxiliaries; Viz. softeners, binders, and flame-retardants, were discussed.

Protein-based nanomaterials are gaining growing interest in biomedical field. The present paper evaluates the physico-chemical properties of electrospun nanofibers resulting from the combination of gelatin with keratin (from wool) and sericin (from silk) to validate their use for in vitro interaction studies. We demonstrated that that presence of sericin influences the fiber morphology at macroscopic level - i.e., wide diameter distributions by SEM and image analysis - with effects on chemical - i.e., a decrease of hydrogen bonds of Nsingle bondH groups verified by infrared spectroscopy - and thermal behavior of electrospun nanofibers, in comparison with gelatin-based ones. Moreover, we verified that sericin, in combination with keratin macromolecules, can amplify the biochemical signal of gelatin, improving the in-vitro stability of gelatin-based nanofibers. In vitro results confirm a synergistic effect of sericin and keratin on human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSC) proliferation - increase over 50% respect to other types - associated to the enhancement of in vitro stability directly ascribable to the peculiar physical interaction among the proteins. These findings suggest the use of sericin/keratin/gelatin enriched electrospun fibers as nanostructured platforms for interface tissue engineering.

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.

The utilization of raw wool wax (grease) extracted from scouring effluent of fleece of sheep has been recognized two millennia ago. About seven centuries B.C., wool grease wax was extracted by Greek labors. Nowadays, tremendous amounts of wool wax are discharged each year into the scouring effluent of wool fleece. Restore of wool grease from textile effluent is of prime importance targeting environment protection. This article outlines the current and the possible ways of extraction of wool wax from coarse wool fleece; taking into consideration the economic and ecologic aspects. The methods of purification of the extracted wool grease into lanolin are also briefed. Recent techniques; namely microwave and ultrasonic-assisted extraction and purification of wool wax, were compared to the conventional heating method used for extraction of wool wax. Chemical and physical characteristics of the extracted lanolin, which play important role in its utilization, are outlined. The current and future utilization of wool wax in textile and non-textile application are reported.

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.

Wool is sensitive toward the effect of alkaline solutions which are usually used in the dissolution of wool fibers to regenerate keratin. In this investigation, the effect of different alkalis on the chemical composition and the secondary structure of wool was studied. Wool was treated with equivalent amounts of alkali metal hydroxides (lithium, sodium, and potassium hydroxides) as well as alkaline earth metal hydroxides (strontium and barium hydroxides). The effect of these alkalis on wool was monitored using amino acid analysis, elemental analysis, carboxylic content, acid, and base combining capacity, urea-bisulfite and alkali solubility, and FTIR spectroscopy. Further structure elucidation was conducted by thermo-gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction pattern. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assign the alteration of the fiber morphology of the alkali-treated wool. The results of this investigation indicate that the effect of the used alkalis on wool is not similar. Cystine, glycine, and the basic amino acids are the most affected species in the treated wool. Some elimination reactions were involved during alkaline treatment of wool; namely decarboxylation, desulphydration, and deamination. The secondary structure of wool treated with Sr(OH)2 and Ba(OH)2 was changed from the ?- helical structure into the ?-sheet form.

This work was adopted to enhance the electrical conductivity of knitted polyester fabrics byincorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticle (NPs) into the fibre vicinity. Five structures ofPIQUE knitted polyester fabric of variable loop length were treated with ZnO NPs usingexhaustion technique. The treated fabrics were sewn using two types of stitches: namely threethread overedge (504) and five thread full overedge (516). The comfort attributes of the treatedfabrics; Viz. electrical conductivity, air permeability, and water permeability were assessed.Physico-mechanical properties of the different treated and untreated fabrics were also evaluated.Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to trace the amounts of zinc ions incorporated onto thedifferent treated structures. The alteration in the functional groups of the modified samples wasmonitored by FTIR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersiveX-ray spectroscopy/elemental mapping were adopted to confirm the inclusion and distribution ofZnO NPs onto the modified polyester fabric. The treated polyester knitted fabrics showedenhanced electrical conductivity with improved comfort properties without adverse effect on theirperformance and appearance attributes.

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...

In the current approach, the microwave heating and polyol method are applied for first time to facilitate silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in-situ incorporated into viscose fibers. The Ag NPs gave a distinctive color as well as multifunctional properties to viscose fibers. The Ag + ions in the viscose fiber surfaces are reduced to Ag NPs with ethylene glycol as reducing agent and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as stabilizing agent. This takes less period and energy than that consumed during the conventional heating method (exo-situ incorporated). The silver nanoparticles were examined through UV–Vis spectrum of the residual solutions and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Ag NPs incorporated viscose fiber surfaces were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements. The effects of silver nanoparticles on the multifunctional properties of the fibers including coloration, antibacterial activity and catalytic properties were evaluated. The overall results point out that, the Ag NPs incorporated viscose fibers exhibited excellent color fastness as well as good antibacterial and catalytic properties. In straightforward, the procedure adopted for fabricating these multifunctional viscose fibers is environmental friendly beside time and energy-saving.

This review is devoted to discuss the unique characteristics of multi-jet electrospinning technique, compared to other spinning techniques, and its utilization in spinning of natural as well as synthetic polymers. The advantages and inadequacies of the current commercial chemical spinning methods; namely wet spinning, melt spinning, dry spinning, and electrospinning are discussed. The unconventional applications of electrospinning in textile and non-textile sectors are reported. Special emphasis is devoted to the theory and technology of the multijet electrospinning as well as its applications. The current status of multi-jet electrospining and future prospects are outlined. Using multi-jet electrospinning technique, various polymers have been electrospun into uniform blend nanofibrous mats with good dispersibility. In addition to the principle of multi-jet electro electrospinning, the different devices used for this technique are also highlighted.

Within the last three decades, environmental pollution has increased the interest of the researchers to find new health and hygiene-related products for mankind. In the textile industry, utilization of low-environmental impact technologies that based on sustainable biopolymers, presents a novel possible way for development of bioactive textiles on a large scale. The purpose of this review is to introduce a general overview on the role of proteinic biopolymers in development of textile industries. Unconventional nom-textile applications of these biopolymers are also outlined. The methods of extraction of proteinic biopolymers from their renewable natural resources were discussed to assign the proper method of extraction.

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.