Search Results (501)

In response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable yet functional technical textiles, this research developed a spun-bonded nonwoven from the biodegradable thermoplastic starch-based biopolymer BIOPLAST^®, incorporating fruit extracts as natural sources of polyphenolic compounds and surface-active additives. Extracts from Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Sambucus nigra L. were applied onto a nonwoven’s surface via aerographic spraying using a water/ethanol system. The resulting materials were characterized in terms of morphology, physicochemical and mechanical behavior, surface characteristics, and stability under accelerated ageing and hydrolytic conditions. Treatment with the extracts increased the tensile strength by roughly 38% and elongation at break by about 50%, and it changed the surface from hydrophobic (contact angle of 115°) to hydrophilic, with contact angles of 83° for the blueberry-modified nonwoven and 55° for the elderberry-modified nonwoven. The modified nonwovens also showed sustained release of polyphenolic compounds over 72 h, which is beneficial for biomedical, healthcare, and cosmetic applications, where short-term use, controlled release of active compounds, and bioactivity are more important than long-term durability. Overall, the results indicate that BIOPLAST^®-based spun-bonded nonwovens can serve as fully bio-based carriers for fruit extracts in MedTech-related technical textiles, offering a straightforward way to introduce additional functionality into biodegradable nonwovens. Full article

Polypropylene (PP) nonwovens are widely used as filtration layers in surgical face masks, but their hydrophobic, inert surfaces limit their ability to attach functional coatings that adjust pore size and improve mechanical filtration. Herein, we exploit cellulose derived from sugarcane debris to construct nanocellulose coatings that modify the surface properties of PP mask nonwovens without altering the underlying fibre architecture. Cellulose pulp was fibrillated to cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) and functionalised to yield TEMPO-oxidised nanofibres (TCNFs) and cationic nanofibres (CCNFs). All these nanofibres retain a cellulose I structure with a thermal stability of well above an 80–100 °C drying window. The three nanocelluloses exhibit distinct combinations of surface charge and wettability (ζ ≈ −9, −73, and +76 mV), with various hydrophobicity. Dip coating produces nanocellulose coating layers on PP, with uniform coverage at 1 wt% for TCNF and CCNF. CCNF inverts the negative surface charge of PP and maintains the positive charge at 86% relative humidity. Ethanol pretreatment of PP increases CCNF coating adhesion and preserves a continuous nanoporous CCNF film on the PP surface under humid conditions. Cytotoxicity assays indicate no detectable cytotoxicity for coated or uncoated nonwovens. This work establishes sugarcane-derived nanocellulose, particularly CCNF and TCNF, as a potential biocompatible surface coating for PP mask nonwovens. Full article

Fibrous polycaprolactone-based composite materials with the addition of hardystonite (1, 3, and 5 wt.%) were developed using the electrospinning method. The obtained PCL and PCL-HT nonwovens were evaluated in terms of their physiochemical properties (SEM, EDS, BET, and zeta potential). Furthermore, the antioxidant potential [measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels], blood plasma coagulation parameters, and cyto- and genotoxicity towards PBM and Hs68 cells were assessed to determine the biochemical activity of the composites. The conducted experiments confirmed that hardystonite was successfully incorporated into the PCL matrix. No substantial changes in the fibres’ surface morphology and the structure of the composites were observed. Similarly, the specific surface area, total pore volume, and average pore size did not change significantly. The addition of hardystonite to the polymer solution resulted in a shift in zeta potential toward less negative values. With regard to plasma coagulation parameters, no significant changes were observed in the aPTT, PT, or TT, likely due to the counterbalancing effect of Zn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions. Furthermore, the PCL-HT composites exhibited a lowered TBARS level, suggesting antioxidant properties, which could be attributed to the presence of zinc in hardystonite. The PCL and PCL-HT composites demonstrated no cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on the tested blood or skin cell types, suggesting their safety. Full article

Tissue-mimicking phantoms that accurately replicate human tissue are crucial for validating and optimizing elastography systems and developing new treatment methods. The use of waste-based fibrous structures has the dual benefits of waste reduction and economic viability, mitigating the environmental consequences associated with the textile industry and, thus, posing a particularly interesting avenue of research in today’s ever-more environmentally conscious society. This work explores the development of elastography phantoms through the use of textile waste for sustainable valorization. Two cotton-short fiber-based and two polyester-nonwoven-based phantoms were produced by impregnating these textile structures with animal-origin gelatin. These materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing that the diameter of the waste-based fibers (15.28 ± 6.18–22.40 ± 5.78 μm) falls within the typical size range of scatterers used in acoustic phantoms. It was observed that these fibers provided phantoms with intrinsic acoustic scattering properties, resulting in ultrasound images similar to those obtained in biological tissues. Shear wave elastography (SWE) was used to assess the stiffness of the phantoms, which produced realistic ultrasound images with shear wave speed (SWS) values ranging from 1.87 m s⁻¹ to 8.39 m s⁻¹, closely resembling those in different anatomical structures. This research presents an innovative methodology for producing low-cost and sustainable tissue-mimicking materials, underscoring the potential of textile industry waste for phantom production. Full article

Textile recycling promotes a circular economy, a system seeking to minimize waste and maximize the value of textiles by reusing them. Currently, mechanical recycling produces short, weak, and low-quality fibers that diminish the value of the textiles, resulting in downcycled products and loss of value. The Respool Fiber Research (RFR) model was developed from an examination of current practices, relevant literature, and apparel design and material selection models. Demonstrating the capabilities of mechanically recycled textiles in material development, the RFR model is intended for educators, research laboratories and design studios, product developers, and designers. The RFR model ventures beyond current models of textile recycling through its fiber-oriented approach to material development. To demonstrate the application of the RFR model as part of the development process, mechanically recycled cotton fibers and polyester fibers were used to develop yarns and nonwoven fabrics. The application of the RFR model demonstrated that the RFR model is valuable for selecting which recycled fibers are appropriate for different types of products. Full article

The use of waste textiles and the search for alternative materials for landslide and erosion control are currently subjects of great importance. This paper presents and evaluates a novel application of waste wool and waste textile ropes arranged in a rhomboid pattern on a slope, and polypropylene nonwoven ropes threaded through iron rods to form a layered retaining wall at the slope toe. Together, these measures provide dual functionality in erosion control and the retaining wall. Monitoring results, material property evaluations, and qualitative and quantitative erosion assessments using the Universal Soil Loss Equation model indicate that the proposed measures are effective, with both the slope and the retaining wall performing well several years after installation. Furthermore, variations in the rainfall erosivity factor as calculated using different equations can lead to notable differences in estimated soil loss, highlighting the need for careful determination of this factor. This case demonstrates a new approach to using polypropylene nonwoven material, and potentially also waste textiles, as a layered retaining structure that is cost-effective and time-efficient and contributes to sustainability and the circular economy. Similar layered retaining structures could be applied in various fields of civil and environmental engineering. Full article

The key stage of processing high-cellulose hemp raw materials is delignification—the removal of lignin and hemicelluloses to obtain strong cellulose fibers. This study experimentally demonstrated the effectiveness of using the electrohydraulic effect (EHE) to delignify high-cellulose hemp raw material, which can then be used as a base for composite materials. Hemp raw material, in the form of 50 mm-long straws, was placed in a water-filled chamber and exposed to a shock wave generated in the water by an electric discharge with an energy of 1.6 kJ at a voltage of 50 kV. The tensile strength of the treated fibers after combined processing (NaOH/EHE) and after EHE reached 262 MPa and 201 MPa, correspondingly, which are 5% and 37% higher than after chemical delignification in a NaOH medium (191 MPa). Cellulose materials obtained from cellulose fiber after EHE exhibit higher strength properties compared to materials based on cellulose obtained by delignification in a NaOH medium. Thus, the tensile strength (σ) of materials made from fibers after EHE was 4.37 MPa, after combined NaOH/EHE treatment 1.94 MPa, and after alkaline treatment 3.95 MPa. EHE reduced delignification time by 2–20 times compared to NaOH treatment and eliminates the need for an additional fiber separation procedure. The use of EHE is proposed as a highly cost-effective, technologically and environmentally sound solution for producing hemp fiber for use in biocomposites, woven, and non-woven materials. Full article

The contamination of water bodies by dye effluents from micro-scale in-house denim laundries remains a significant environmental concern in central México, particularly in the Atoyac River, where conventional treatment methods are not economically viable. This study develops and evaluates Nylon-6/pumice powder (PPw) nonwoven composites as hybrid adsorptive membranes for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Pumice, a locally abundant siliceous mineral, was incorporated into Nylon-6 through melt-compounding and melt-blown fiber processing at 1 wt% and 5 wt% loadings. SEM, XRD, and TGA confirmed even filler distribution, structural stability, and the development of a porous, layered structure. Batch adsorption tests revealed a rapid initial dye adsorption, followed by a slower diffusion-controlled phase, with equilibrium achieved within 15 min for PPw and within 30 min for the composites. The data fitted both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, indicating that MB adsorption involved a combined mechanism: monolayer adsorption on uniform silanol/aluminol sites and multilayer physical adsorption at the polymer–mineral interfaces. Higher PPw content increased adsorption capacity (q_max = 1.1460 mg/g) and surface uniformity, resulting in favorable Freundlich exponents (n = 2). Finally, it was found that adsorption proceeds via chemisorption, where the pumice powder provides reactive sites. These findings demonstrate that Nylon-6/PPw nonwoven composites combine the strength of a synthetic material with the surface reactivity of a natural mineral, providing an effective and scalable Nature-Based Solution for decentralized dye removal, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 12. Full article

Different types of polymeric materials are used as footbeds in shoes. Environmental degradation behavior of polymeric footbed materials is an important parameter for understanding materials’ environmental footprint. Most of the previous studies focus on geotextiles, polymeric insulation materials, and exposure behaviors that are not the same due to the nature of applications of geotextiles and insulations being completely different from the footbeds. There is a lack of studies to understand artificial weathering, the influence of physical–chemical factors, and the subsequent behavior of different types of footbeds. In this paper, we have selected three needle-punched nonwoven footbed materials and studied their environmental degradation behavior by subjecting them to artificial weathering using different exposure durations, viz. 120 h, 240 h, and 360 h. The physical–chemical properties of polymeric footbed materials were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The selected polymeric footbed materials were made from recycled polyester (RPET), hemp, and shoddy fibers. Furthermore, the RPET footbed was tested for biodegradation in soil and compost conditions for 120 days. The footbed materials were also tested for physical and performance (tensile and abrasion resistance) properties. Hemp footbed materials undergo abiotic degradation after 120 h, but in the case of RPET, it undergoes abiotic degradation after 360 h, resulting in a fragmentation process due to synergistic effects of chemical and hydrolytic degradations. From the DSC results, RPET undergoes a slight thermal transition under abiotic degradation after 360 h, indicating that environmental abiotic factors influence degradation behavior. The tensile and abrasion resistance properties of RPET were the highest, followed by hemp and shoddy materials. The tensile strength range of the materials was between 50.74 and 851.44 N. The weight loss range after abrasion resistance was 0.016–0.014%. From the RPET biodegradation test in soil and compost conditions, the evolved CO₂ was 20% and 59%, respectively, after 110 days. The DSC and TGA results indicate that the hemp footbed materials have a higher rate of abiotic degradation as compared to the RPET and shoddy footbed materials. From the RPET biodegradation test in soil and compost conditions, the CO₂ degradation values were 20% and 59%, respectively. The obtained degradation results indicate that the synergistic effect of abiotic and biotic conditions greatly influences footbed materials’ biodegradation under natural environmental conditions. Full article

Soft robots often suffer from insufficient load capacity due to the softness of their materials. Existing variable stiffness technologies usually introduce rigid components, resulting in decreased flexibility and complex structures of soft robots. To address these challenges, this work proposes a novel wrist-gripper composite soft end-effector based on the weaving jamming principle, which features a highly integrated design combining structure, actuation, and stiffness. This end-effector is directly woven from pneumatic artificial muscles through weaving technology, which has notable advantages such as high integration, strong performance designability, lightweight construction, and high power density, effectively reconciling the technical trade-off between compliance and load capacity. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed end-effector exhibits excellent flexibility and multi-degree-of-freedom grasping capabilities. Its variable stiffness function enhances its ability to resist external interference by 4.77 times, and its grasping force has increased by 1.7 times, with a maximum grasping force of 102 N. Further, a grasping force model for this fiber-reinforced woven structure is established, providing a solution to the modeling challenge of highly coupled structures. A comparison between theoretical and experimental data indicates that the modeling error does not exceed 7.8 N. This work offers a new approach for the design and analysis of high-performance, highly integrated soft end-effectors, with broad application prospects in unstructured environment operations, non-cooperative target grasping, and human–robot collaboration. Full article

Polyethylene (PE) melt-blown nonwoven materials exhibit excellent infrared transmission properties, making them well-suited for applications in infrared physiotherapy and smart building technologies. However, their high flammability and tendency to generate melting droplets and smoke seriously limit their applications. Herein, phosphorus-silicon flame-retardant PE melt-blown blends were prepared by the melt blending of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and nano-silica (SiO₂). Next, the thermal, rheological, and crystallization properties of the blends were investigated. Subsequently, flame-retardant PE melt-blown nonwoven materials were prepared and tested. It was found that APP and SiO₂ decreased the melt flowability of the material, while slightly decreasing the melting point, increasing crystallinity and enhancing the thermal stability by shifting the decomposition temperature by 51 °C. Moreover, the presence of flame retardants increased the roughness and diameter of fibers. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the PE melt-blown materials with 10% APP and 1% SiO₂ reached 28.6%, reaching the flame-retardant level without dripping during combustion. This highlights important guidelines for developing infrared-transmitting, flame-retardant PE nonwovens for safe and sustainable applications. Full article

Electrospinning is a versatile technique used to manufacture nanofibers by applying an electric field to a polymer solution. This method has gained significant interest in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, and materials engineering fields due to its ability to produce porous structures with a high specific surface area, making it ideal for applications such as wound dressings, controlled drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. The materials used in electrospinning play a crucial role in determining the final properties of the obtained nonwoven nanofibers. Among the most studied substances are chitosan, collagen, and fish-derived gelatin, which are biopolymers with high biocompatibility. These materials are especially used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields due to their bioactive properties. In combination with synthetic polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), these biopolymers can form electrospun fibers with improved mechanical characteristics and enhanced structural stability. The characterization of these materials was performed using modern characterization techniques, such as one-dimensional (1D) proton NMR spectroscopy (¹H), for which the spin–spin relaxation time distributions T₂ were characterized. Additionally, two-dimensional (2D) measurements were conducted, for which EXSY T₂-T₂ and COSY T₁-T₂ exchange maps were obtained. The characterization was complemented with FT-IR spectra measurements, and the nanofiber morphology was observed using SEM. As a novelty, machine learning methods, including artificial neural networks (ANNs), were applied to characterize the local structural order of the produced nanofibers. In this study, it was shown that the nanofiber nonwoven materials made from PVA are characterized by a degree of order in the range of 0.27 to 0.61, which are more ordered than the nanofibers made from chitosan and fish gelatin, characterized by an order degree ranging from 0.051 to 0.312, where 0 represents the completely unordered network and 1 a fully ordered fabric. Full article

With 23.4 billion pairs made and 22 billion discarded in 2023, post-consumer footwear waste is a major environmental challenge, demanding a shift toward circular economy practices. In this work, post-consumer footwear waste is repurposed into thermal/acoustic insulation materials for building construction, producing four needle-punched nonwovens (two of them compressed) composed of a post-consumer leather (30%) and footwear waste mixture (40%) with recycled polyester fibers. Nonwovens exhibited higher strain values (95.9 and 77.1% for leather residue and footwear mixture residue, respectively) but lower tensile strength (1694 and 104.9 kPa) and Young’s modulus (1767.8 and 136.10 kPa). The compressed nonwovens demonstrated higher tensile strength (7360 and 3559 kPa) and Young’s modulus values (12992 and 4020.4 kPa) and reduced strain (56.6 and 96.9%). The thermal conductivity results revealed that the nonwovens exhibited lower values (0.040 and 0.046 W/(m·K)), indicating better insulation performance when compared with their compressed counterparts (0.060 and 0.058 W/(m·K)). The nonwovens demonstrated high sound absorption at higher frequencies, reaching peak absorption coefficients of 0.917 and 0.995, ideal for acoustic insulation. The compressed nonwovens exhibited improved absorption at lower and mid-frequencies, with maximum values of 0.510 and 0.519. Given the current lack of applications for recycled materials derived from post-consumer footwear, the findings offer a novel approach to address their recycling. Full article

This article presents the manufacturing technology and mechanical properties of innovative pre-impregnated coatings (PCs). The base materials for PC are powders of metal oxides, non-metals, minerals and thermoplastic non-wovens. PC can be used in the manufacture of composites by methods such as vacuum infusion, autoclave curing or hand lamination. This is possible due to the novel PC structure consisting of a functional layer (FL) and a backing layer (BL). PCs are flexible so that they can be used on curved surfaces. In this work, five types of PC were subjected to a uniaxial tensile test. Depending on the powder used, failure force values ranging from 24.61 N to 28.73 N were obtained. In the next step, the pre-impregnated coatings were applied as a coating in “sandwich” composites made by vacuum infusion, which were subjected to three-point bending (3-PB) and adhesion tests. 3-PB tests proved that the coating remained integral with the substrate, even under high flexural deformation, while the adhesion achieved was in the range of 0.95 MPa to 1.57 MPa. PC can be used in many engineering products, e.g., for the coating of façade panels, roof tiles, automotive parts or rail vehicles, etc. Full article

Spread-tow woven fabrics (STWs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their thin-layered characteristics, high fiber strength utilization rate and superior designability, finding wide application in the aerospace field. To meet the application requirements for materials with high specific strength/specific modulus in the aerospace field, this study designed an anti-sandwich structured composite with high specific load-bearing capacity. Herein, the core layer was a load-bearing structure composed of STW, while the surface layers were hybrid lightweight structures made of STW and nonwoven (NW) felt. Repeated impact test results showed that increasing the thickness ratio of the core layer enhanced the impact resistant stiffness of the overall structure, whereas increasing the proportion of NW felt in the surface layers improved the energy absorption of the composites but reduced their load-bearing stiffness and strength. The composite exhibited superior repeated impact resistance, achieving a peak impact load of 17.43 kN when the thickness ratio of the core layer to the surface layers was 2:1 and the hybrid ratio of the surface layers was 3:1. No penetration occurred after 20 repeated impacts at the 50 J or 3 repeated impacts at 100 J. Meanwhile, both the maximum displacement and impact duration increased, whereas the bending stiffness declined as the number of impacts increased. The failure mode was mainly characterized by progressive interfacial cracking in the surface layers and fracture in the core layer. Full article