Fabrication of reinforced hydrophobic coatings for the protection of silk fabric

Abstract

The design of water-resistance and breathable materials applied to the protection of a historical silk textile has raised considerable interest for their highly practical potential. Thus, simple and functional composite coatings have been investigated and applied on Bombyx mori silk fabrics by spraying silk fibroin and a water soluble siloxane emulsion enriched with silica nanoparticles (12 nm). The layer of spraying silk fibroin on the surface of the silk fabric resulted in mesoscopic molecular network reconstruction by hydrogen bonds and crosslinking of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether to improve the physical property of the silk fabric. By systematically investigating silica composite treatment, it was found that the sample treated with silica composite coatings possessed a good hydrophobic property, in which the static contact angles increased from 43.27° to 145.77° for uncoated and coated samples, respectively. As determined by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy analyses, hydrophobic components such as Si-O-Si, Si-O were successfully attached to the silk fabric. The scanning electron microscopy images and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy map point distribution images showed that the coating of the silica composite forms a uniform nano-scale structure, which improved the waterproof and breathable performance. Compared with uncoated fabric, the silica composite treatment was endowed with enhanced air permeability of 446.47 mm/s. After the abrasion and washing cycles, high durability of the coated fabric was demonstrated. Excellent hydrophobic capability could help silk fabric avoid the destruction of any harmful pollutant, such as light, bacteria, sewage and so on. Furthermore, the proposed relationship between the adhesive structure and the waterproof/breathable property is applicable in the design of functional silk textiles with different levels for protective performance.

Development of Cotton Fabrics via EVA/SiO2/Al2O3 Nanocomposite Prepared by γ-Irradiation for Waterproof and Fire Retardant Applications

“…The results showed that the coated CF has a strong hydrophobic ability. In similar results, it was found that the silk fabric treated with silica composite coatings possessed a good hydrophobic property with an increase in the contact angles [73].…”

Develop an optimal washing method for textile relics adsorbing composite organic/inorganic stains

“…the washing e ciency of silk textile relics adsorbing stain was always the highest, that of cotton and linen textile relics was middle, that of wool textile relics was the lowest. This was because that the surface of simulated samples of silk textile relics was smooth, stain was di cult to adsorb on its surface, and easier to be washed, thereby, the washing e ciency was relatively higher than that of other textile relics [17]. On the contrary, the simulated samples of wool textile relics belonged to pile tissue with a lot crimp bers on the surface, which provided a large adsorption space for stain [24].…”

“…Consequently, it was speculated that the washing treatment of textile relics are obviously different from common textile and clothing products made of single ber or mixed materials such as cotton, linen, silk and wool. In addition, the textile relics adsorbing stains are mainly related to decomposition of corpses, groundwater, soil, minerals, microbial corrosion, wet-cold gas [16,17]. While common textile adsorbing stains mainly come from living stains (food residues, human metabolites, handwriting, red wine, air dust, etc.)…”

Develop an environment‐friendly detergent for textile relics adsorbing soil/rust stains

“…However, textile relics belong to the relics eroded by the corpse, coffin fluid, microorganisms, bronzes, wood, soil and other stains due to being long‐term buried in the ground (He et al, 2014; Li et al, 2021; Zhao, Pan, et al, 2019). Therefore, the surface or internal of textile relics are very easy to appear deposition of blood, protein, fat, adhesives, soil and rust and other pollutants (He et al, 2014; Ilies et al, 2022; Zhao, He, et al, 2019). Additionally, stains adsorbed on the surface or internal of textile relics cannot be removed in time, it not only reduces their ornamental value because of stain covering the unique texture, colors and patterns of textile relics, but also causes the physical chemistry or biological degradation of textile relics, and even carbonization or damage, eventually bug, losing its cultural, historical and artistic value (Ahmed & Ziddan, 2011; Ferrari et al, 2017; Kavkler et al, 2022).…”