Search Results (292)

Polyester–cotton (PES/CO) blends represent one of the most widely used textile classifications globally, yet their fibre-to-fibre recycling remains technically challenging due to the chemical dissimilarity of the two fibres. Existing reviews typically address textile recycling in broad terms, leaving a gap in critically evaluating the specific separation chemistries, recovered-fraction quality, and industrial maturity of PES/CO recycling routes. This review addresses that gap by providing a focused and comparative assessment of technologies designed for PES/CO fractionation. The paper analyses both polyester-removal and cellulose-removal routes, covering depolymerisation (hydrolysis, glycolysis, methanolysis, aminolysis), dissolving systems (NMMO, ionic liquids, DES, cold alkaline), and enzymatic or acid-based degradation. Each route is evaluated using technical criteria including fraction purity, cellulose degree of polymerisation, polyester monomer recovery, fibre quality, chemical consumption and energy requirement, solvent recovery, reaction conditions, and scalability. The review finds that chemical depolymerisation of PES and selective dissolution of cellulose currently show the strongest potential for high-quality fibre-to-fibre recycling, particularly when solvent recovery systems are integrated. However, significant barriers remain, including incomplete fraction purity, degradation of cellulose DP, limited recovery of high-quality polyester intermediates, high chemical consumption, and insufficient industrial-scale demonstrations. Overall, this review provides a differentiated and critical synthesis of PES/CO recycling technologies, clarifying their readiness levels and outlining the key scientific and industrial challenges that must be addressed to enable circularity in blended textile waste streams. Full article

Clothing pressure is a critical design parameter in compression garments, yet its estimation in three-dimensional (3D) digital environments remains challenging because it depends on fabric mechanics, garment deformation, body geometry, and garment–body contact. This study developed a calibrated 3D vector-projection method for estimating clothing pressure from digital garment-mesh deformation. The method was based on the mechanical premise that garment extension generates in-plane tensile forces, whereas interface pressure is associated with the component of those forces acting normal to the body surface. Accordingly, corresponding flat and deformed garment meshes from CLO 3D were used to calculate edge-length strain and internal force; resultant forces were projected onto local avatar-normal directions and normalized by vertex-associated surface area to obtain uncalibrated pressure-related values. Five tricot fabrics and two pattern-reduction levels were used to produce ten compression tops, and pressure measured at five body locations was used for modulus-group-specific linear calibration to account for stiffness-dependent differences in deformation-to-pressure conversion. Under leave-one-garment-out cross-validation, the final linear model achieved an overall R² of 0.563, an RMSE of 0.587 kPa, and an MAE of 0.427 kPa. A 1–15 mm contact-distance analysis identified 10 mm as a conservative numerical stabilization point, with normalized means remaining within ±2% of the 15 mm reference and adjacent-threshold changes below 0.1 from 10 to 15 mm. The proposed method provides a transparent, mechanics-informed mesh-level procedure that converts digital garment deformation into calibrated body-normal pressure estimates and 3D spatial maps without treating commercial virtual-fitting pressure maps as direct physical predictions. Full article

Microencapsulation has become an indispensable technique across various industries that require the controlled release and stability of bioactive agents. In this study, the encapsulation of cinnamon essential oil (CEO), known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, was study to enable controlled release when applied to textile substrates. This procedure involves defining and examining several steps to establish a stable, scalable complex coacervation methodology. To form a stable microcapsule matrix, CEO was emulsified using a combination of surfactants (Span 80, Tween 20, and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate). After forming micelles containing CEO, two biopolymers (chitosan and gum Arabic) were used at various proportions to form a microcapsule shell via a layer-by-layer approach. Advanced characterization techniques, such as spectrophotometry and laser scattering, were used to evaluate microcapsule stability, size, and release kinetics, as well as to assess potential antibacterial activity. The presence of oil-containing microcapsules was confirmed using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results demonstrate that Span 80 concentrations of 0.4 and 0.7 g/L provided the most stable encapsulation environment and enabled a controlled CEO release profile after being applied to cotton substrates. In addition, the influence of the fabric’s chemical characteristics was clearly illustrated in the drug delivery experiments. However, antibacterial efficacy was limited due to the low CEO concentration within the microcapsules, indicating the need for further optimization. These findings provide valuable insights into the broader application of essential oil encapsulation, particularly within the pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetic sectors. Full article

This study comparatively examines the combined influence of hemp blend ratio, weft count and dual-core weft architecture on selected transport-related comfort indicators of hemp-blended denim fabrics. Eleven 3/1 twill denim fabrics were produced using two warp families, namely 100% cotton and cotton/hemp (69/31), together with rigid, single-core and dual-core weft yarns incorporating cotton, hemp, lyocell, elastane and PET/PTT T400^®. Air permeability was measured according to ASTM D737, and the water vapour transmission factor (WVPf) was determined using a wet-cup gravimetric procedure based on ASTM E96. Air permeability ranged from 96.68 to 252.96 mm/s, while mean WVPf values ranged from 102.89 to 204.28. The results indicated that weft architecture and fabric structure were more strongly associated with comfort behaviour than fibre composition alone. In particular, dual-core weft constructions generally promoted higher air permeability, whereas water vapour transmission remained dependent on a combined effect of fabric mass, sett and yarn design. Fabrics containing hemp contributed to moisture transfer performance, although the magnitude of this effect varied with constructional parameters. Multivariate evaluation further indicated that fabric mass, ends/cm and picks/cm were key variables governing the observed comfort response. Overall, the findings suggest that hemp-blended denim fabrics can be optimised through an appropriate balance of hemp content, weft count and dual-core yarn design to achieve improved breathability and moisture transport. Full article

Arc-flash protective textiles are specialized technical fabrics designed to endure extreme thermal energy and inhibit ignition during electrical faults. It is an industry driven by the enhanced use of machine learning models, autonomous technologies, and advanced analytics. Key sectors, including healthcare, automotive, retail, financial services, and technology, are making considerable investments in high-quality training datasets to improve AI performance. Consequently, there is an escalating demand for scalable and accurate data annotation services. This review has as its main objective to demonstrate the recent advances on arc-flash protective textiles, including arc-flash environment, material failure mechanisms, structural design, performance characterization, and new materials breakthrough. Full article

Developing durable multifunctional clothing with enhanced mechanical and comfort properties utilizing eco-friendly, cost-effective hybrid nano finishes is highly challenging. The reason behind the nondurable functionality is the lack of bonding ability of nanoparticles (NPs) with cotton fabric, and this additional coating has a great impact on the mechanical, thermo-physiological, and sensorial comfort properties of cotton fabric. Focusing on these issues, this paper attempts to develop biogenic chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO₂ hybrid nano finishes with three distinct formulations, namely Chi-CuO-SiO_2(5g/L), Chi-CuO-SiO_2(10g/L), and Chi-CuO-SiO_2(20g/L) hybrid nanofluids, to incorporate on cotton fabric by pad-dry-cure method. These hybrid nanofluids from biogenic Chi-CuO and rice husk SiO₂ NPs have been newly introduced for textile application. The NPs CuO and SiO₂ are synthesized from lemon peel zest extract and rice husk, respectively. Characterization of CuO NPs by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffractometers (XRD) evidences that spherical-shaped, amorphous, and 60–80 nm sized NPs are synthesized. The hydrodynamic performance of hybrid nanofluids measured by Zeta Sizer shows that the chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO_2(5g/L) hybrid nanofluid is the most stable among the three, and the value is +29.4 mV. The presence of CuO NPs, SiO₂ NPs, and chitosan on cotton fabric was confirmed by FTIR, FESEM, and EDX spectra of the hybrid nanofluid-deposited fabric. The cotton fabric coated with chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO₂ hybrid nanofluids exhibits better durable antimicrobial efficacy, UV-protective properties, and thermo-physiological comfort properties than that of the uncoated fabric. More specifically, CuO-SiO_2(20g/L)-coated fabric demonstrates approximately 99.99% bacterial efficacy against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria even after 15 washing cycles, and excellent UV-protective properties. In addition, CuO-SiO_2(5g/L)-coated fabric displays around 75% enhancement of overall moisture management properties and 1.22% and 0.53% enhancement of tensile strength in warp and weft directions with excellent elongation compared to the pristine one. Moreover, assessment of the mechanical sensorial comfort properties of this fabric depicts that it is smoother, and has better thermal conductivity than that of the control one. In addition, CuO-SiO_2(5g/L) hybrid nanofluid-treated cotton fabric exhibited cell viability above 95%, which confirms its non-cytotoxicity. The outcomes of this study suggest that chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO_2(5g/L) hybrid nanofluid-treated cotton fabric can be considered as optimum and employed as biomedical textiles with better mechanical and comfort properties. Full article

Conventional cotton bleaching relies on hydrogen peroxide under high temperatures and alkaline conditions, leading to high water and energy consumption. This study evaluates ozone as a sustainable alternative oxidizing agent to improve process efficiency. An ozone-based process was investigated by analyzing the influence of pH, fabric moisture content, and chemical additives, including stabilizers and surfactants. Performance was assessed using CIELab coordinates together with evaluation of substrate integrity through degree of polymerization to ensure suitability for subsequent dyeing. Results indicate that bath composition is critical, with both acidic and alkaline media outperforming neutral conditions. Fabric moisture was identified as a key parameter, where periodic renewal of the impregnation bath significantly enhanced bleaching efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the process achieved notable bleaching levels within short treatment times and with low energy requirements. These findings demonstrate that ozone bleaching represents a promising, energy-efficient alternative for cotton pre-treatment, capable of providing substrates suitable for high-quality and sustainable textile colouration. Full article

Natural dyes are attracting increasing attention owing to their environmental compatibility and safety profile, particularly in contrast to synthetic dyes, which may contain hazardous compounds posing risks to human health and ecosystems. In this study, crude phycocyanin extract from the cyanobacterium Limnothrix planctonica (KU.B3) was evaluated as a natural blue color for textile screen printing. The investigation encompassed the optimization of curing temperatures and assessment of colorfastness under simulated-use conditions, including washfastness, lightfastness, and rubfastness. The results indicated that a curing temperature of 110 °C represented the practical upper limit for maintaining phycocyanin chromophore stability during the screen printing process. Among the additive compound evaluated, copper sulfate conferred the greatest resistance to UV-induced fading; the compound-treated fabric retained a K/S value of 0.83 ± 0.03 following 5 h of UV exposure, representing a decline of approximately 16% compared with approximately 25% in the untreated control. However, washfastness was poor across all treatment conditions (grey scale score 1), indicating that under the binder system investigated in this study phycocyanin may be more suitable for decorative rather than washable textile applications. Full article

Efficient adsorbents and nanozyme-like materials are of growing importance in environmental technologies. Here, we report a simple and potentially scalable approach for the immobilization of biochars onto nonwoven acrylic textiles, yielding composite materials with good retention of immobilized biochar during aqueous treatment and combined adsorption and peroxidase-like activities. The structure of native and biochar-modified textiles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, confirming the presence of biochar particles on fiber surfaces and within the inter-fiber space, as well as nanoscale structural changes induced by biochar incorporation. Textile-bound biochars exhibited peroxidase-like activity toward N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and enabled effective decolorization of methylene blue. Adsorption alone resulted in 61% dye removal after 240 min, while the combined adsorption-catalytic process achieved 74% decolorization. Modification of the textile-bound biochar with copper ions further enhanced the peroxidase-like activity, increasing dye removal to 85% under identical conditions. The optional incorporation of a magnetic iron wire allows facile magnetic handling of the composite. Owing to its low cost, simplicity of preparation, and dual functionality, the textile-bound biochar composite represents a promising proof-of-concept platform that may warrant further development for dye removal and related environmental applications. Full article

The ongoing concern about advanced healthcare systems drives the development of highly functional medical textile products. However, despite rapid growth in fiber-based healthcare products, a comprehensive understanding of the relation between fiber and product properties remains limited. This review paper discusses the various fibers used in medical textiles, their classifications, applications, and properties. The existing pre-pandemic studies showed a narrow focus on classifications and applications. Therefore, in this review paper, very recent studies (post-pandemic) were analyzed, focusing on different physical, mechanical, biological, and chemical properties necessary for healthcare applications. The adoption of international standards for assessing these properties has enhanced the products’ global acceptance. Moreover, this paper explores recent innovations and challenges, indicating the future possibilities of medical textiles. The study summarizes a coalition between textiles and medical science to create a new field, Tex-Medical Engineering. Full article

Quality inspection is a fundamental pillar of textile manufacturing, as garment defects directly affect customer satisfaction, production efficiency, and overall brand reputation. In this context, automated inspection systems have become essential for ensuring consistent product quality and reducing reliance on manual inspection, which is often labor-intensive, inconsistent, and susceptible to human error. With the emergence of industry 4.0 and the increasing adoption of automation and smart manufacturing technologies in the textile sector, the demand for intelligent and automated quality inspection systems has significantly increased. Recent advances in deep learning and computer vision have opened new opportunities for precise and real-time identification of sewing defects. This study proposes a YOLOv11-based framework for detecting critical defects such as crooked seams and skipped stitches, aiming to enhance accuracy, speed, and reliability in garment inspection. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of the proposed method to significantly improve quality assurance processes within modern apparel manufacturing environments. Full article

The release of microplastic fibers from synthetic textiles during domestic laundering is a major contributor to aquatic pollution. Nanomaterial-based surface treatments have recently emerged as a potential route for minimizing microfiber shedding. This study investigates the use, for the first time, of metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂, ZnO, MgO) functionalized with fatty acids (oleic acid (OA) and stearic acid (SA)) as microfiber-retaining agents. The nanoparticles were modified via a simple adsorption process at room temperature, monitored by zeta potential analysis, and confirmed by DSC-TG and FTIR-ATR analysis. When applied to polyester fabrics during simulated washing cycles, the hydrophobicity of the polyester surface coated with functionalized nanoparticles was assessed via contact angle measurements, and the effect on microfiber shedding was evaluated by the filtration of wastewater and by weighing the mass of fibers retained in the filters. ZnO and MgO nanoparticles treated with stearic and oleic acid demonstrated a significant reduction in fiber shedding compared to commercial laundry detergent (approximately 46–70%). In contrast, fatty acid adsorption onto TiO₂ was less efficient (reduction in microfiber release ~23%), and the TiO₂-based systems showed limited improvement in microfiber shedding, possibly due to insufficient hydrophobic interaction. These results demonstrate that fatty acid functionalization of low-cost inorganic nanoparticles is a promising strategy for mitigating microfiber pollution in laundry effluents. Full article

The growing emphasis on sustainability in fashion and textile systems has renewed interest in natural dyes as both ecological colorants and expressive design tools. This study investigates a design-oriented approach to sustainable screen-printing by combining plant-based dyestuffs with conceptual pattern development and scientific performance analysis. It assumes that natural dyes can function not only as environmentally responsible alternatives to synthetic colorants but also as active design materials within contemporary textile printing. Accordingly, the study asks how dye type and fiber type influence color performance, fastness behavior, and fiber–dye interaction in screen-printed natural fabrics. Natural dyes derived from Rubia cordifolia (Rubia^®), Punica granatum peel (Mallow^®), and Morus alba leaves (Leafy Green^®) were applied to 100% cotton, linen, and silk fabrics through an environmentally responsible screen-printing process. A garlic-inspired motif was developed to support the study’s visual and conceptual framework by representing circularity, low-impact agriculture, and cultural sustainability. Colorimetric properties (L*, a*, b*, K/S, ΔE) were measured by spectrophotometric analysis, while washing and rubbing fastness were evaluated according to international standards. FTIR spectroscopy was used to examine fiber–dye interaction mechanisms, and statistical significance was tested through two-way ANOVA. The findings show that fabric type is the dominant factor affecting color performance, with cotton exhibiting the highest color strength due to its cellulose-rich and hydroxyl-dense structure. Rubia^® produced the darkest and most saturated tones, whereas Mallow^® yielded lighter pastel-like shades. FTIR results indicated that dye fixation occurred primarily through non-covalent interactions, explaining the balance between aesthetic richness and moderate fastness. The study offers a replicable model for environmentally responsible, design-oriented textile production that integrates material innovation with cultural and visual narratives. Full article

With the increasing generation of textile waste, efficient chemical recycling methods are urgently needed. This study evaluates a hydrochloric acid-based process for recycling polycotton textiles (polyester/cotton blends), in which cotton is selectively hydrolyzed and converted into 5-(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF), while polyester is recovered. The impact of common non-polycotton fiber contaminants on process performance and product quality was systematically assessed. Cellulose-based fibers did not hinder the process and are suitable for CMF production, while most synthetic fibers were effectively removed without affecting the CMF yield. In contrast, animal fibers reduced the CMF yield and complicated acid recovery, indicating they should be avoided in the feedstocks. Additionally, polyacrylonitrile and wool persisted in the solid fraction, contaminating the recovered polyester and lowering its value. To improve process robustness and product quality, intermediate filtration and extended hydrolysis time are recommended. These findings highlight critical feedstock requirements and operational adjustments for scalable polycotton recycling. Full article

Functionalized wet-laid nonwovens were developed from recycled cotton fibres, including spinning process residues (SPRs) and cotton fabric scraps (CFSs), blended with refined bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP), demonstrating the valorisation of textile waste into high-performance materials. A two-step surface functionalisation strategy was applied, combining spray deposition of a polyamide-amine wet-strength resin with padding using carnauba wax, polyurethane dispersion and their combination. SEM and ATR-FTIR analyses confirmed successful functionalization of the cellulosic nonwovens without affecting their structure. The surface modification induced a hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic transition, with SPR-based nonwovens showing higher contact angles (>130°), lower water uptake and slower liquid penetration. The applied functionalization strategies suppressed liquid strike-through (STT) across both nonwovens’ formulations. Mechanical performance was also enhanced. SPR-based nonwovens modified with the combined agents showed increases of 59% and 90% to 30/70% SPR/BEKP and 70/30% SPR/BEKP, respectively, while CFS-based nonwovens exhibited increases of 148% and 207% for the same formulations. Wet strength was noticeably improved, exceeding instrumental limits in SPR systems functionalized with polyurethane dispersion alone as well as with the combined agents. Therefore, this functionalization strategy effectively overcomes the intrinsic hydrophilicity and wet weakness of cellulosic nonwovens, enabling to be applied in packaging, household and other technical applications, while promoting the circular economy. Full article