Halochromic Textiles for Real-Time Sensing of Hazardous Chemicals and Personal Protection

Abstract

Chemical protective clothing (CPC) has become mandatory when performing various tasks to ensure user protection and prevent chemicals from contacting the skin and causing severe injuries. In addition to protection, there is a need to develop a simple mechanism that can be attached to CPC and be capable of detecting and alerting the user to the presence of harmful chemical agents. In this study, a double-sensor strategy was investigated, using six different pH indicators stamped on cotton and polyester knits to detect acidic and alkaline substances, both liquid and gaseous. Functionalized knits underwent microscopic characterization, air permeability and contact angle evaluation. All samples exhibited hydrophobic behavior (contact angle > 90°) and air permeability values above 2400 L/min/cm2/bar, with the best condition demonstrating a contact angle of 123° and an air permeability of 2412.5 L/min/cm2/bar when the sensor methyl orange and bromocresol purple (MO:BP) was stamped on polyester. The performed tests proved the functionality of the sensors and showed a visible response of all knits when contacting with different chemicals (acids and bases). Polyester functionalized with MO:BP showed the greatest potential, due to its preeminent color change. Herein, the fiber coating process was optimized, enabling the industrial application of the sensors via a stamping method, an alternative to other time- and resource-consuming techniques.

Intelligent wearable and portable security detection technologies integrated into protective equipment: A review

“…They also play a crucial role in averting the entry of dangerous chemical gases through the nasal and oral cavities into the human respiratory system. 11,12 Optical sensors have been widely employed in traditional chemical detection methods. For instance, Kumar et al 13 developed an open-hole photoacoustic-optical method using ultrasonic sensors, which proved effective in forensic work scenarios and the screening of suspicious materials.…”

Fibrous Structures: An Overview of Their Responsiveness to External Stimuli towards Intended Application

“…The sensor incorporates pH indicators such as bromothymol blue, methyl red, methyl red sodium, methyl orange and bromocresol purple. Theses sensors demonstrated visible responses upon exposure to acidic and alkaline substances, whether in liquid or gaseous form [158].…”

Designing and Producing pH Sensitive Warning Clothes with different Fabric Constructions using Chromic Materials

“…[2][3][4] An emerging trend in the field of smart textiles is the use of color-changing materials, often known as chameleon textiles or (chromic textiles), which may change color in response to a variety of external stimuli. [1,5] Thermochromism (induced by temperature), photochromism (induced by light), halochromism (induced by pH), [6] electrochromism (induced by electricity), solvatochromism (induced by the polarity of solvent), etc. are different types of chromism (chromic material) depending on the nature of the stimulus.…”

“…They may also track the pH of a wound dressing to track the progress of a wound's healing without removing the gauze, for example. [6,11,12] The PH-value is an important parameter in many situations, and photochromic textiles can be used for a variety of applications. For example, in this research, it was incorporated in protective clothing, specifically in lab coats, to indicate the presence of alkali or acid vapors in the lab working environment, protecting the user from the dangers of these vapors.…”