Polyester textile functionalization through incorporation of pH/thermo-responsive microgels. Part II: polyester functionalization and characterization

A new approach to functionalize the surface of polyester textiles is described in this study. Functionalization was achieved by incorporating pH/temperature-responsive polyelectrolyte microgels into the textile surface layer using UV irradiation. The aim of functionalization was to regulate polyester wettability according to ambient conditions by imparting stimuli-responsiveness from the microgel to the textile itself. Microgels consisted of pH/thermo-responsive microparticles of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) either alone or complexed with the pH-responsive natural polysaccharide chitosan. Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, ζ-potential measurements, and topographical analysis were used for surface characterization. Wettability of polyester textiles was assessed by dynamic wetting, water vapor transfer, and moisture regain measurements. One of the main findings showed that the polyester surface was rendered pH-responsive, both in acidic and alkaline pH region, owing to the microgel incorporation. With a marked relaxation in their structure and an increase in their microporosity, the functionalized textiles exhibited higher water vapor transfer rates both at 20 and 40 °C, and 65% relative humidity compared with the reference polyester. Also, at 40 °C, i.e., above the microgel Lower Critical Solution Temperature, the functionalized polyester textiles had lower moisture regains than the reference. Finally, the type of the incorporated microgel affected significantly the polyester total absorption times, with an up to 300% increase in one case and an up to 80% decrease in another case. These findings are promising for the development of functional textile materials with possible applications in biotechnology, technical, and protective clothin

Topographical anisotropy and wetting of ground stainless steel surfaces

Microscopic and physico-chemical methods were used for a comprehensive surface characterization of different mechanically modified stainless steel surfaces. The surfaces were analyzed using high-resolution confocal microscopy, resulting in detailed information about the topographic properties. In addition, static water contact angle measurements were carried out to characterize the surface heterogeneity of the samples. The effect of morphological anisotropy on water contact angle anisotropy was investigated. The correlation between topography and wetting was studied by means of a model of wetting proposed in the present work, that allows quantifying the air volume of the interface water drop-stainless steel surface

Cooperative action of cellulase enzyme and carboxymethyl cellulose on cotton fabric cleanability from a topographical standpoint

In this study, the effect of cotton treatment with cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose on soil release of three different types of fabric: woven plain, woven twill and knitted were systematically studied. A recent study of the effect of a cleaning cellulase enzyme on cellulose films has proven that this substance selectively attacks amorphous cellulose regions, consisting of small hills in a matrix of flat crystalline regions. According to our previous investigations, where carboxymethyl cellulose is present in the formula, the enzyme seems to drive soil release performance. However, the mechanism has not yet been sufficiently studied from the topographical standpoint. In the present study, topographical changes caused by the treatment with cleaning cellulase enzyme and carboxymethyl cellulose on the fabrics by conditioning while washing were analysed on three different length scales in order to interpret their cooperation on water and oil absorption mechanisms and, hence, on cleanability of cotton fabrics stained with liquid–solid, liquid and solid soils

Volumetrical characterization of sheet molding compounds

For a comprehensive study of Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) surfaces, topographical data obtained by chromatic confocal imaging were submitted systematically for the development of a profile model to understand the formation of cavities on the surface. In order to qualify SMC surfaces and to predict their coatability, a characterization of cavities is applied. To quantify the effect of surface modification treatments, a new parameter (Surface Relative Smooth) is presented, applied and probed. The parameter proposed can be used for any surface modification of any solid material. © 2010 by the authors

Cleanability Improvement of Cotton Fabrics Through Their Topographical Changes Due to the Conditioning with Cellulase Enzyme

In this study, topographical changes of woven cotton fabrics conditioned with a cellulase enzyme during several wash–dry cycles are systematically studied. A recent study of cellulase enzyme effect on cellulose films has proven that this substance selectively attacks amorphous regions of cellulose, consisting of small hills in a matrix of flat crystalline regions. In another study, topographical changes caused by cotton treatment with cellulase by conditioning while washing were analysed on three different length scales in order to interpret their cooperation on water and oil absorption mechanisms and, hence, on the cleanability of cotton fabrics stained with liquid–solid, liquid and solid soils. In the present study, we emphasise the micro-topographical changes resulting from several wash–dry cycles by the application of mathematical methods to quantify the changes of yarn micro-surfaces. As a result, we present a conceptual model that describes how the topographical effect of washing and conditioning by cellulase enzyme improves the cleanability of woven plain cotton fabrics

Advances for the topographic characterisation of SMC materials

For a comprehensive study of Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) surfaces, topographical data obtained by a contact-free optical method (chromatic aberration confocal imaging) were systematically acquired to characterise these surfaces with regard to their statistical, functional and volumetrical properties. Optimal sampling conditions (cut-off length and resolution) were obtained by a topographical-statistical procedure proposed in the present work. By using different length scales specific morphologies due to the influence of moulding conditions, metallic mould topography, glass fibre content and glass fibre orientation can be characterized. The aim of this study is to suggest a systematic topographical characterization procedure for composite materials in order to study and recognize the influence of production conditions on their surface quality. © 2009 by the authors

Surface roughness and wettability of wool fabrics loaded with silver nanoparticles: Influence of synthesis and application methods

Hydrophilization of wool fabrics was performed by silver nanoparticles with different surface charge using three different methods: exhausting, pad–dry–cure and in situ synthesis. Dynamic wetting measurements and surface topography analysis were used to evaluate surface changes on wool fabrics. The wool samples in situ loaded revealed the highest fabric roughness and porosity, while the use of the pad–dry–cure method leads to the lowest fabric porosity, and its roughness values approximately were the same as those for samples loaded with the exhaustion method. The results revealed that loading silver nanoparticles with high surface charges onto wool fabrics via the exhaustion method can significantly improve the hydrophilicity of wool fibre surface. The possible reasons for this improvement are discussed

Transforming matters: sustaining gold lifeways in artisanal and small-scale mining

Growth strategies in mining regions promote gold extraction basedonindustrial mining, associating Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) with persistent informality. Against this background, we consider how to approach transformations to sustainability in ASGM. Acknowledging how problematic this topic is for sustainability debates,given howASGM is associated with a host of environmental and social problems,we argue that a justice lens demands we confront such challenges within the global politics of sustainability. This leads us to review advances inthe study of ASGM, linked to debates on extractivism, resource materialities, and informality. We use the notion of gold lifeways to capture how the matter of mining shapes different worlds of extraction. We argue that consideration of the potential for transformations to sustainability needs to be grounded within the realities of ASGM. This necessitates giving value to miners’ knowledge(s), perspectives and interests, while recognising the plurality of mining futures. Nevertheless, we conclude that between the immediacy of precarious work and the structural barriers to change in ASGM, the challenges for transformation cannot be underestimated.NWOGlobal Challenges (FSW