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Dynamic color and phase change of chosen thermochromic systems were deeply investigated and their incorporation into polyurethane textile coating was developed. The colorimetric properties of three commercial reversible leuco dyes-based thermochromic pigments (TPs) with activation temperature at 38, 50, and 60 C were studied. Color change as a function of temperature was evaluated and colorimetric values were related to phase transition temperatures via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement. Light fastness of commercial TPs in polyurethane coating was determined by accelerated aging measurement and the color stability has been improved by using ultraviolet absorber (UVA). This research opens new possibilities for smart textiles, which is a very promising field in high-technology materials.

This study shows the importance of nanoparticle (NP) spatial arrangement on the nucleation, morphology, and properties of nanocomposite foams. It probes CO2 blown PMMA with three types of nanosilica structures with exactly the same chemical composition: aggregates, chain bound clusters, and individually dispersed NPs. A systematic but nontrivial scaling of morphology, glass transition temperature, static and impact mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity is discussed with special regard to the combined nanoconfinement by soft and stiff inclusions. The presented results suggest a limited potential of simultaneous toughening by nanoreinforcement and shear banding, which can draw significant implications for both the fundamental science and industrial practice dealing with nanoreinforced cellular materials.