Searching for Natural Conductive Fibrous Structures via a Green Sustainable Approach Based on Jute Fibers and Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

This paper provides new insights regarding jute fibers functionalization with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with improved conductivity values and highlights the sustainability of the processes involved. These NPs were applied onto jute fabrics by two different sustainable methods: ultraviolet (UV) photoreduction and by using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a reducing agent and stabilizer. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images demonstrated that the Ag NPs were incorporated on the jute fibers surface by the two different approaches, with sizes ranging from 70 to 100 nm. Diffuse reflectance spectra revealed the plasmon absorption band, corresponding to the formation of metallic Ag NPs, in all samples under study. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used to characterize the obtained samples, demonstrating NPs adsorption to the surface of the fibers. The resistivity value obtained by the two-point probe method of the jute fabric without functionalization is about 1.5 × 10 7 Ω·m, whereas, after NPs functionalization, it decreased almost 15,000 times, reaching a value of 1.0 × 10 3 Ω·m. Further research work is being undertaken for improving these values, however, 1000 Ω·m of resistivity (conductivity = 0.001 S/m) is already a very reasonable value when compared with those obtained with other developed systems based on natural fibers. In summary, this work shows that the use of very simple methodologies enabled the functionalization of jute fibers with reasonable values of conductivity. This achievement has a huge potential for use in smart textile composites.

Superhydrophobic cotton fabrics based on ZnO nanoparticles functionalization

“…5 exhibits the results obtained for the uncoated samples. All ATR-FTIR spectra show the appearance of two bands around 3330 and 2900 cm −1 , which, according to the literature, can be related to stretching vibrations of O-H and C-H groups corresponding to the cotton fabrics constituents: cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose [36].…”

The Potential of Graphene Nanoplatelets in the Development of Smart and Multifunctional Ecocomposites

“…To use fibrous systems as pressure sensors, the substrate must exhibit conductivity, and methods of providing conductivity to the textile have been widely studied. Materials like conductive polymers, metals, and metal oxide nanoparticles/nanowires, carbon based micron/nano materials, such as carbon particles, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers and graphene, have been used and investigated [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…However, giving the growing interest in searching for new materials with improved environmental sustainability, attention is driven to ecocomposites based on the combined effect of natural fibers and natural or biodegradable polymers. Fibers like flax, jute or sisal have emerged as great alternatives due to their low cost, biodegradability, low weight, and abundance in nature [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Besides natural fibers, biodegradable polymers such as chitosan (CS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are also a target of interest due to their excellent characteristics such as biodegradability, non-toxicity, also being excellent dispersing agents for the GNPs [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Multifunctional Flax Fibres Based on the Combined Effect of Silver and Zinc Oxide (Ag/ZnO) Nanostructures

“…Besides sensing properties, these fibre-based materials can also present multiple functions such as ultraviolet (UV) protection, flame retardancy, hydrophobicity/self-cleaning, and antibacterial effect, depending on the surface functionalization. Nanoparticles (NPs) are very attractive materials to be used in the development of functional fibrous systems, due to their higher surface area and exclusive optical, electrical, and catalytic properties [5,6,7]. Silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs exhibit numerous interesting properties, such as antibacterial effect, UV-blocking, piezoresistive properties, electrical conductivity, and photocatalytic activity, being widely used to functionalize different cellulosic fibres [6,8,9,10,11].…”