Smart Textile Materials by Surface Modification with Biopolymeric Systems

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the possibilities of obtaining “smart” surface modifying systems (SMSs) based on biopolymer chitosan hydrogels, and to discuss the possible problems of obtaining “smart” textile materials by attaching these surface modifying systems to regular textile materials. Due to the fact that chitosan based, pH-sensitive, temperature-sensitive and temperature/pH dual-sensitive hydrogels are of special interest in designing "smart" textile materials, current developments in the preparation of chitosan based hydrogels are reviewed. However, since the main challenge of developing “smart” textile materials is confined to the techniques of successful attachment of the hydrogel layer to the textile substrate, strategies for successful attachment of “smart” hydrogels are presented. It is expected that this innovative strategy will enable creating of new enhanced textile materials, which not only contain fibres that maintain the advantageous and conventional properties but also advanced functionalities and/or environmental responsiveness implemented by modifying the very thin surface layer of the material.

Biopolymer-based Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Systems for Functional Finishing of Textiles

“…Functional finishing approach enables producers to continue to use conventional textile fibres and at the same time, by modifying a very thin surface layer of the material, achieve added-value by implementing "smart" features. In recent times, an increasing amount of research is being done on functional finishing of textile materials by incorporating stimuli-responsive polymeric systems (Liu & Hu, 2005;Crespy & Rossi, 2007;Jocic, 2008). Through this approach, the new added-value textile material can be created containing fibres that maintains advantageous conventional properties (e.g.…”

Functionalization of cotton with poly-NiPAAm/chitosan microgel: Part II. Stimuli-responsive liquid management properties

“…silicone microemulsions and thermoreactive polyurethane) (Holme 2007). Nevertheless, the latest concepts from the emerging areas of responsive polymers and surface modification techniques enable taking cotton moisture management one step further-to develop stimuli-responsive material which can actively control material performance by polymer grafting (Hu et al 2006;Liu et al 2009;Save et al 2005) or functional finishing by application of microgel based on stimuli-responsive polymers (Jocic 2008). Microgel based surface modifying system shows specific volume phase-transition (swelling and shrinking) which can be triggered by various stimuli (e.g.…”

Stimuli-responsive Hydrogels for Textile Functionalisation: A Review

“…Stimuli-responsive hydrogels also present great potential and opportunities in the eld of textiles, where they are applied to di erent textile substrates to create new smart functionalities, including thermoregulation and moisture management for comfort improvement, and the controlled release of active substances for wound dressing or skin care. Few review articles have been written to date on the topic of hydrogels for use in textiles [27][28][29][30][31][32], focusing on the use of hydrogels for medical textiles and textiles for increased comfort. To provide new knowledge in the use of hydrogels for chemical modi cation of textile materials, this article focuses on the comprehensive study of the hydrogel particle size in relation to synthesis conditions and the eld of application.…”