Impact of Weft Yarn Density and Core-yarn Fibre Composition on Tensile Properties, Abrasion Resistance and Air Permeability of Denim Fabrics

Characteristics and serviceability of denim fabrics have undergone major changes. Nowadays denim is commonly used for casual wear. Durability and comfort are important parameters for consumers when choosing a denim garment. Therefore, in this study, abrasion resistance, tear and tensile properties of core–spun yarns and air permeability of denim fabrics with different weft yarns per centimetre and fibre content were analysed. The test results showed that weft yarns per centimetre influences fabric air permeability negatively but abrasion resistance increases. Higher weft yarns per centimetre influences fabric air permeability negatively but abrasion resistance increases. Polyester, elastane, modal, viscose and Lycra T400 were used in the core of weft yarn to analyse the impact of those fibres on the durability and comfort properties. Elastane is used to add stretchability to the fabric, which provides comfort to the wearer. The higher the elastomeric fibre content in the fabric, the greater is its elasticity; however, the tensile properties of the woven fabric decrease. The tear strength of the fabric was increased by the presence of the polyester fibre in the core

Impact of laser fading on physico-mechanical properties and fibre morphology of multicomponent denim fabrics

Laser fading technology is used to give a unique worn look to a fabric. This finishing technique is environmentally friendly compared to conventional methods because it reduces the use of harmful chemicals and large amounts of water. A carbon dioxide (CO2) laser with a wavelength of 10.6 µm was used in this study. In bulk production, fixed manufacturing parameters help to reduce production preparation time. Thus, two combinations of laser power and speed of the laser cutter head (14 W and 230 mm/s; 16 W and 350 mm/s) were used to determine how universal the fixed laser parameters are for fading five different types of multicomponent twill and satin weave denim fabrics, which contain cotton, elastane, polyester and viscose. Physico-mechanical properties (tear, tensile properties and abrasion resistance) were tested to evaluate the effect of the selected laser parameters on fabric strength properties. Microscopical analysis was performed to assess the effect of laser fading on the yarn and fibre morphology of denim fabrics

A method for producing conductive graphene biopolymer nanofibrous fabrics by exploitation of an ionic liquid dispersant in electrospinning

Owing to its high conductivity, graphene has been incorporated into polymeric nanofibers to create advanced materials for flexible electronics, sensors and tissue engineering. Typically, these graphene-based nanofibers are prepared by electrospinning synthetic polymers, whereas electrospun graphene-biopolymer nanofibers have been rarely reported due to poor compatibility of graphene with biopolymers. Herein, we report a new method for the preparation of graphene-biopolymer nanofibers using the judicious combination of an ionic liquid and electrospinning. Cellulose acetate (CA) has been used as the biopolymer, graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles as the source of graphene and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) as the ionic liquid (IL) to create CA-[BMIM]Cl-GO nanofibers by electrospinning for the first time. Moreover, we developed a new route to convert CA-[BMIM]Cl-GO nanofibers to reduced GO nanofibers using hydrazine vapor under ambient conditions to enhance the conductivity of the hybrid nanofibers. The graphene sheets were shown to be uniformly incorporated in the hybrid nanofibers and only 0.43 wt% of GO increase the conductivity of CA-[BMIM]Cl nanofibers by more than four orders of magnitude (from 2.71× 10−7 S/cm to 5.30 × 10−3 S/cm). This ultra-high enhancement opens up a new route for conductive enhancement of biopolymer nanofibers to be used in smart (bio) electronic devices

The Influence of Conductive Additives on the Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Mats. Juhtivate lisandite m\uf5ju elektrokedratud nanokiuliste lausmaterjalide mehaanilistele omadustele

Doctoral thesis 74/2018 Doktorit\uf6\uf6 74/201

Antibacterial and Antiviral Effects of Ag, Cu and Zn Metals, Respective Nanoparticles and Filter Materials Thereof against Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Virus

Due to the high prevalence of infectious diseases and their concurrent outbreaks, there is a high interest in developing novel materials with antimicrobial properties. Antibacterial and antiviral properties of a range of metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) are a promising means to fight airborne diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. The aim of this study was to test antimicrobial metals and metal-based nanoparticles efficacy against three viruses, namely influenza A virus (H1N1; A/WSN/1933) and coronaviruses TGEV and SARS-CoV-2; and two bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The efficacy of ZnO, CuO, and Ag NPs and their respective metal salts, i.e., ZnSO4, CuSO4, and AgNO3, was evaluated in suspensions, and the compounds with the highest antiviral efficacy were chosen for incorporation into fibers of cellulose acetate (CA), using electrospinning to produce filter materials for face masks. Among the tested compounds, CuSO4 demonstrated the highest efficacy against influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 (1 h IC50 1.395 mg/L and 0.45 mg/L, respectively), followed by Zn salt and Ag salt. Therefore, Cu compounds were selected for incorporation into CA fibers to produce antiviral and antibacterial filter materials for face masks. CA fibers comprising CuSO4 decreased SARS-CoV-2 titer by 0.38 logarithms and influenza A virus titer by 1.08 logarithms after 5 min of contact; after 1 h of contact, SARS-COV-2 virus was completely inactivated. Developed CuO- and CuSO4-based filter materials also efficiently inactivated the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The metal NPs and respective metal salts were potent antibacterial and antiviral compounds that were successfully incorporated into the filter materials of face masks. New antibacterial and antiviral materials developed and characterized in this study are crucial in the context of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and beyond