Search Results (86)

The textile industry requires products with a wide range of characteristics for use in diverse applications such as the production of shoes, bags, jackets, thermal clothing and articles for the automotive industry, among others. These products have traditionally been made from leather, which is obtained from animal hides. However, leather production has come under enormous pressure due to sustainability concerns in various areas and the growing number of people who actively choose to avoid all animal products. The main solutions developed by the textile industry have been to apply synthetic coatings based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PUR) to textile substrates. One of the ways to reduce the environmental impact and non-renewable content of artificial leather is to replace parts of the synthetic component with lignocellulosic by-products. In the present work the feasibility of using small branches and leaves of Eucalyptus globulus (BLE) as a component of an aqueous PUR formulation for coating textile products was evaluated. In addition, the possibility of obtaining functional textile products with antioxidant properties based on the BLE particles incorporation was also evaluated. The effect of the BLE particle size distribution in the PUR formulation and on the properties of the coated textile products was evaluated. The BLE particles and their size influenced the colour, appearance, hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the coated textiles. The (BLE) particles have improved the tensile strength of textile coating products without loss of elongation, improving their properties for specific applications. Furthermore, the textiles coated with the (BLE) particles showed interesting antioxidant properties, being possible to obtain coated fabrics with five times more DPPH radical scavenging activity than the reference coated fabric without (BLE) particles. Full article

Diabetes poses a significant global health challenge, underscoring the urgent need for accurate and continuous glucose monitoring technologies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of both invasive and non-invasive sensor technologies, with a particular focus on antenna-sensors and their working principle. Key aspects, including the selection of substrates and conductive materials, fabrication techniques, and recent advancements in rigid and flexible antenna-sensor designs, are critically evaluated. Notably, textile antenna-sensors are gaining increasing attention due to their potential for seamless integration into daily clothing. Furthermore, the influence of the human body on antenna-sensor performance is examined, emphasizing the importance of human phantom simulation and fabrication for precise modeling and validation. Finally, this review highlights the current technical challenges in the development of flexible antenna-sensors and discusses their transformative potential in enabling next-generation, non-invasive, and patient-centric glucose monitoring solutions. Full article

The demand for high-performance supercapacitors has driven extensive research into novel electrode materials with superior electrochemical properties. This study explores the supercapacitive behavior of quaternary CuNiCoZnO (CNCZO) films engineered into a three-dimensional (3D) flower-like morphology and developed on versatile substrates, including carbon cloth, stainless steel mesh, and nickel foam. The unique structural design, comprising interconnected nanosheets, enhances the electroactive surface area, facilitates ion diffusion, and improves charge storage capability. The synergistic effect of the multi-metallic composition contributes to remarkable electrochemical characteristics, including high specific capacitance, excellent rate capability, and outstanding cycling stability. Furthermore, the influence of different substrates on the electrochemical performance is systematically investigated to optimize material–substrate interactions. Electrochemical evaluations reveal outstanding specific capacitance values of 2318.5 F/g, 1993.7 F/g, and 2741.3 F/g at 2 mA/cm² for CNCZO electrodes on stainless steel mesh, carbon cloth, and nickel foam, respectively, with capacitance retention of 77.3%, 95.7%, and 86.1% over 5000 cycles. Furthermore, a symmetric device of CNCZO@Ni exhibits a peak specific capacitance of 67.7 F/g at a current density of 4 mA/cm², a power density of 717.4 W/kg, and an energy density of 25.6 Wh/kg, maintaining 84.5% stability over 5000 cycles. The straightforward synthesis of CNCZO on multiple substrates presents a promising route for the development of flexible, high-performance energy storage devices. Full article

A Yb³⁺-doped BiOI 3D nanosheet array composite was successfully fabricated through a solvothermal deposition strategy on flexible carbon cloth (CC). This composite was subsequently integrated with high-chlorine fly ash (FA) blocks to form the Yb-BiOI/CC/FA hybrid material. Comprehensive characterization was performed using multiple analytical techniques for crystalline phase identification, morphological analysis, valence state, band structure evaluation, and charge carrier separation assessment. Electrochemical measurements were conducted to evaluate the material’s electronic properties. Experimental results demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation, with the Yb-BiOI/CC/FA composite achieving 52.87% methylene blue degradation efficiency. The reaction rate constant of this modified nanomaterial was approximately 2.1 times higher than that of pristine BiOI/CC/FA. Radical trapping experiments revealed that superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) served as the predominant oxidative species. This study presents a dual-benefit strategy for environmental remediation by simultaneously achieving sustainable waste valorization of industrial byproducts (FA) and developing high-efficiency photocatalytic materials. The successful integration of rare-earth metal modification with substrate engineering provides valuable insights for designing advanced photocatalytic systems for pollutant degradation. Full article

Polyethylene imine (PEI) is a synthetic water-soluble and nitrogen-rich polymer with an ethylene amine repeating unit. It exists in a linear or branched forms and finds applications in various areas. PEI is often chemically modified by crosslinking reactions using molecular and polymeric crosslinkers (e.g., trichlorotriazine, epichlorohydrin, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether, etc.) to increase its stability and reduce its water solubility. PEI (pristine/crosslinked) has a strong affinity for metal cations (e.g., Cu²⁺, Au³⁺, Pb²⁺, etc.), where the nitrogen atoms interact with the metal ions, and hence is suitable to remove metals from water with high efficiency. A thin film of crosslinked PEI on substrates can be prepared and finds diverse applications such as in removing metals and dyes, and biofouling prevention in the marine environment. The copper ion, as an example, can be stored (adsorbed) in a thin film of crosslinked PEI on a carbon cloth substrate, which can be released to water by passing an electric current through the film or with an acid treatment. It has also been reported that crosslinked PEI and composite materials can be used for the adsorption of dyes and gases such as CO₂ and SO₂ from the environment. The performance of pristine/composite/crosslinked PEI in gas, metal ion, and dye adsorption is affected by several factors. The focus of this review is to discuss the different reactions used to crosslink PEI and review the properties of the crosslinked materials and their applications. Studies have shown that the properties of the crosslinked PEI and hence its success in capturing metal ions, dyes, and CO₂ is dependent not only on the type of crosslinker but also on the degree of crosslinking. Full article

Designing conducting polymers with novel structures is essential for electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, copolymers of s-triazine and o-aminophenol are electropolymerized from an aqueous solution onto a carbon cloth substrate using the galvanostatic method. The poly(s-triazine-co-o-aminophenol) (PT-co-oAP) is characterized, and its charge storage properties are investigated in 1 M H₂SO₄ and in 1 M ZnSO₄. At 1 A g⁻¹, the specific capacities of PT-co-oAP reach 101.3 mAh g⁻¹ and 84.4 mAh g⁻¹ in 1 M H₂SO₄ and in 1 M ZnSO₄, respectively. The specific capacity of PT-co-oAP maintains 90.3% of its initial value after cycling at 10 A g⁻¹ for 2000 cycles in 1 M H₂SO₄. The high specific capacity achieved originates from abundant surface active sites, facile ion diffusion, with optimized active site structure achieved by forming copolymer. The charge storage mechanism involves the redox processes of amino/imino groups and hydroxyl/carbonyl groups in the copolymer, together with the insertion of cations. Two electrode devices using two PT-co-oAP and aqueous 1 M H₂SO₄ are assembled, and the maximum energy density reaches 63 Wh kg⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ with a power density of 540 W kg⁻¹. The capacity retention of the device after 3000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹ reaches 81.2%. Full article

In the development of flexible smart electronics, fabricating electrodes with optimized architectures to achieve superior electrochemical performance remains a significant challenge. This study presents a two-step synthesis and characterization of a polypyrrole (PPy)-MnO₂/carbon cloth (CC) nanocomposite. The MnO₂/CC substrate was first prepared via the hydrothermal method, followed by uniform PPy coating through vapor-phase polymerization in the presence of an oxidizing agent. Electrochemical measurements revealed substantial enhancement in performance, with the specific capacitance increasing from 123.1 mF/cm² for the MnO₂/CC composite to 324.5 mF/cm² for the PPy/MnO₂/CC composite at a current density of 2.5 mA/cm². This remarkable improvement can be attributed to the synergistic effects between the conductive PPy polymer and MnO₂/CC substrate and the formation of additional ion transport channels facilitated by the PPy coating. This work provides valuable insights for designing high-performance electrode materials and advances the development of composite-based energy storage devices. Full article

Zirconium sulfide nanoparticles (Zr_xS_y) are prepared on a flexible substrate of carbon cloth (CC) via a one-step synthesis approach using the low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) technique. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image reveals that the particle sizes are in the range of ca. 3~23 nm with an average value of ~13.02 nm. The synthesized Zr_xS_y nanoparticles are composed of ZrS₃ and Zr₉S₂ phases, which is verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). By using the Zr_xS_y/CC as a supercapacitor flexible electrode, the capacitance extracted from the cyclic voltammetry measurement is 406 C g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 5 mV s⁻¹; the capacitance values obtained from GCD curves at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ and 1 A g⁻¹ are 151 and 134 C g⁻¹, respectively. These results highlight the promising potential of Zr_xS_y as a supercapacitor material for future energy-storage technology. Full article

Electrochromic fabrics (ECFs) can be applied to wearable displays and military camouflage clothing, and they have great potential in developing wearable products. Current ECFs are often bulky, involve complicated processes, and have high production costs. In this study, we report a novel strategy for preparing electrochromic fabrics that require only a three-layer structure: cotton fabric as the substrate, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as the electrochromic layer and the electrodes, and an ion-conducting film (ICF) bonded to the fabric by hot pressing. Compared with conventional ECFs, this method does not require the extra preparation of electrode layers on the fabric, as these layers affect the color-changing effect. Hot pressing eliminates the need for a complex sealing process and is more suitable for fabrics with poor wicking effects, which increases the method’s applicability. Cotton fabrics offer the value of biodegradability and are more environmentally friendly. Meanwhile, unlike carbon cloth, the fabric’s color does not interfere with the electrochromic effect. The ICF is non-liquid and can maintain the dryness of the fabric. Additionally, the ICF provides high-temperature protection up to 150 °C. The ECFs exhibit exceptional thinness at 161 µm and a lightweight construction with a 0.03 g/cm² weight. Furthermore, the ECFs exhibit a relatively long sustain time of 115 min without voltage, demonstrating impressive performance. Improved peel strength to 7.11 N is achieved through an improved hot-pressing process. The development strategy for ECFs can also be applied to other electrochromic substances, potentially advancing intelligent applications such as wearable fabrics and military camouflage while promoting rapid progress in electrochromic fabrics. Full article

Transition metal oxides (e.g., MnO_x) can effectively promote the redox reactions of heavy metal ions through abundant valence changes. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on the application of MnO_x for the detection of Cd²⁺ without pre-enrichment conditions. For this reason, in this study, MnO_x was grown in situ on a carbon cloth substrate by one-step electrodeposition. The effect of the valence composition of MnO_x and its variation on the Cd²⁺ without pre-enrichment detection performance was systematically investigated. The morphology, structure, and chemical composition of the materials were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the deposition of MnO_x not only significantly increased the active surface area of the electrodes but also facilitated electron transfer through the valence transition of Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺↔Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺. The detection of Cd²⁺ in water samples can be successfully achieved without pre-enrichment, and the electrode has good stability and reproducibility. This study provides a new design idea for applying MnO_x electrodes in Cd²⁺ detection without pre-enrichment and provides a reference for further optimization of electrochemical sensors. Full article

Waste production is a worldwide concern due to its adverse impact on the environment, as well as on the health of living beings. Sustainable development states the urgent need to implement actions to gradually replace fossil resources, including the use of renewable raw materials such as residues and secondary raw materials from other industries as a promising alternative to replace fossil resources. This research explores an approach focused on the design of renewable materials by developing a bio-based textile coating with the use of sawdust from radiata pine, which is the result of industrial wood transformation processes. The methodology adopted a transdisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from design, engineering, and sociology disciplines. A perceived sawdust quality study was carried out in its original format, while two different coated textile substrates were developed, using knife-over-roller and spray coating processes, which were evaluated from user acceptance and functional performance points of views. Finally, a clothing prototype for workwear, using the bio-based coatings, was developed, employing a mono-material design concept (i.e., using the same material in all its forms). The results obtained from users and laboratory studies favour the knife-over-roller coating and the removable clothing design, which provides improved usability performance. The obtained conclusions highlight that transdisciplinary collaboration is essential to address complex challenges in the development of solutions, placing the design of material as a necessary prior action in the design process of final products. Full article

The development of the field of textronics covers many directions, but the neediest are safety, medicine, and environmental protection. The solutions developed can combine the needs of many people from different social groups and ages. This leads to sustainable socio-economic, scientific and integrated approaches to sustainable development. The authors, seeing the growing need to monitor air pollution in order to increase safety, decided to develop textronic chemical sensors based on carbon-based inks and metal thread embroidery, sensitive to harmful gases and vapors based on textiles. This was to limit the production of subsequent sensors made in plastic housings containing difficult-to-recycle materials and replace them with sensors incorporated into everyday materials such as clothing, which will inform us about emerging threats not only in the place where a large plastic sensor is placed, but in every place at home, at work and outside where we will be. The authors assume that the sensors can be incorporated into clothing, e.g. work clothes, and can also be fastened from one piece of clothing to another. This increases their economic aspect and usability on a larger scale. Three materials of different composition were tested: cotton, polyester and viscose. These materials were selected based on their properties, namely the easier determination of their ability to achieve full circularity of the final product.Functional and mechanical tests of resistance to factors occurring during everyday use were carried out for the use of systems in clothing materials and to produce roller blinds and curtains. To examine the durability of the systems, electrical conductivity was checked before and after the tests. The results showed changes in resistance values after individual tests and during contact with harmful gases. Particularly noticeable are the differences between samples with embroidery and samples with inkjet paste applied. It was shown that the selected materials are suitable for the intended application, and selected modifications together with conductive materials show proper functioning in detecting harmful gases. This project demonstrates the possibility of creating chemical sensors based on printing techniques using carbon printing pastes and embroidery with a metal thread with silver on a textile substrate. Possible applications considering health and environmental aspects are presented. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orenburg goats are renowned for their soft down that acts as a substrate for warm clothing, particularly shawls that have an international reputation. As with many local livestock breeds, however, the Orenburg is presently at risk of extinction, an issue that can be addressed by assessing population genetic diversity and, thereafter, encouraging as much outbreeding as possible. Using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based data, therefore, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of modern Orenburg goats using samples collected from an expedition to Orenburg Oblast in 2024. Methods: We applied the Goat SNP50 BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) for the genotyping of Orenburg goats from modern and archived populations. SNP genotypes of three Orenburg populations sampled in 2017 and 2019, Altai Mountain, Altai White, and Soviet Mohair breeds, were added to the dataset. Results: Principal component analysis and network and admixture analyses demonstrated that the genetic background inherent to the archived group of Orenburg goats was maintained in all modern populations. Values of genetic diversity indicators in modern populations were compatible with those obtained in comparison groups. Runs of homozygosity (ROH) were found in all the Orenburg goat populations (with a mean ROH length of 72.6–108.9 Mb and mean ROH number of 28–36). Genomic inbreeding based on ROH was low in all the Orenburg populations (F_ROH = 0.03–0.045). Conclusions: We showed that the ancestral background is retained in present-day Orenburg goats sampled in 2024. We provide the genetic basis through which certain breeder animals may be selected and bred traditionally or ex situ through a conservation program of gamete preservation. Full article

Lower urinary tract inflammation is a very common problem which occurs particularly in women. That is why the idea of a biotextronics system for preventive and supportive treatment came to be. The system is a kind of a therapeutic clothing in the form of underwear integrated with a four-layer pantiliner with biological active compounds (from chamomile essential oil) immobilized on the insert with a cellulose agar or microcrystalline cellulose agar film. In this research, the outer part of the insert was investigated for its ability to release compounds with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity under the temperature of the treatment (40 °C). The research was conducted on the day of the insert preparation (day 0) and also after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days to test the ability of the insert to be stored without changing its properties. The results showed that even after 56 days of storage, there are compounds released that are known to have antibacterial activity, such as α-bisabolol. The system requires further tests involving bacteria; however, chamomile essential oil seems to be good substrate for biotextronics systems for preventive and supportive treatment of lower urinary tract inflammations. Full article

The article presents the results of research on the impact of the use of an original, innovative method of deposition of Parylene C on the functional properties of fabrics with various potential applications (e.g., thermal and chemical protective clothing, packaging, covers and others). Verification of the effects of the method used was based on interdisciplinary research taking into account the impact of coating fabrics on changes in their structure (micro-CT), surface properties (contact angle), barrier properties (water and chemical liquid wetting), electrostatic properties (charge decay), biophysical properties describing heat and mass transfer (by the Alambeta system and thermal imaging) and flammable properties. Four fabrics made of synthetic organic fibres (meta-aramid, para-aramid) and natural inorganic fibres (basalt) were selected for testing. Given the complex structure of textile substrates, the results confirmed that the two assumed thicknesses of the Parylene C coating were consistent with the actual measurements. The findings indicated that the coatings significantly reduced water and acid absorption in the fabrics compared to unmodified ones. Thermal insulation property tests revealed that coated fabrics exhibited higher thermal conductivity than unmodified fabrics. Additionally, the presence of Parylene C on aramid fabrics resulted in a modest increase in their ignition resistance. Full article