Optimization and development of workwear fabric coated with TiO₂ nanoparticles in order to improve thermal insulation properties and air permeability

Abstract

Workwear clothing is one of the essential personal protective equipment for workers and plays a crucial role in preventing the entry of environmental heat into the body and facilitating thermal exchanges between the human body and the environment. Improving the coating of workwear fabrics while maintaining air permeability is considered an engineering control measure to protect workers in environments with thermal stress. This study aimed to optimize the coating of workwear fabrics with TiO2 nanoparticles to enhance thermal insulation properties and air permeability using the response surface methodology (RSM) and MATLAB. The input variables were the titanium isopropoxide volume and reaction time in the ultrasonic, while the output variables were the coating percent, air permeability, and thermal conductivity coefficients. The morphology of TiO2 nanoparticle and coated fabric (FE-SEM, EDS, FTIR, FTIR-ATR, DLS, and XRD), The intrinsic properties of fabrics (Yarn Count, Abrasion Resistance, Tensile, Tearing Strength), the Water Vapor permeability, Surface wetting resistance, and Durability test were evaluated according to the standard methods. No significant differences were observed in the intrinsic properties between the coated and uncoated fabrics. Increasing the coating percent of fabrics with TiO2 nanoparticles was accompanied with a decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient and an increase in air permeability. The positive effect of nanoparticle coating is a significant step towards introducing a new generation of smart textiles with the potential to improve thermal insulation properties while maintaining air permeability. This advancement aims to preserve and enhance the health and safety of workers exposed to thermal stress.