Wash Fastness of Hybrid AlO_x-PET Fabrics Created via Vapor-Phase Infiltration

Abstract

Vapor-phase infiltration (VPI) infuses polymers with metalorganics to create organic−inorganic hybrid materials with properties distinct from the parent polymer. While many studies exist demonstrating the utility of VPI, few studies investigate the stability of the chemical structure and properties of the hybrid material under longterm use conditions. Herein, the durability to simulated washing of AlO x -poly(ethylene terephthalate) hybrid fabrics prepared via VPI with trimethylaluminum (TMA) and water vapor at temperatures 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 °C under excess TMA infiltration conditions is investigated. The inorganic loading of the fabrics varies with VPI process temperature, with fabrics prepared below 100 °C containing ∼25 wt % inorganic and fabrics prepared above 100 °C having ∼17 wt % inorganic as measured by thermogravimetric analysis. Consistent with literature reports, AlO x -PET fabrics exhibit changes in color and photoluminescence that vary with the infiltration temperature. Fabrics infiltrated at lower temperatures (100 °C and below) with high inorganic loading lose a significant quantity of inorganic following washing. This loss is attributed to the formation of highly brittle, oxide-rich hybrid layers near the fibers' surfaces that delaminate and are removed during the washing process. Decreasing the inorganic loading of fabrics at these low infiltration temperatures (by controlling the relative precursor/fabric quantity) improves the wash durability of these hybrid fabrics. At higher infiltration temperatures, a negligible amount of inorganic is lost. In addition to these physical changes, differences in the photoluminescence and chemical structure, indicated by infrared spectroscopy, are observed for all fabrics and provide insights into their chemical structure and degradation pathways.

Dealkylation of Poly(methyl methacrylate) by TiCl4 Vapor Phase Infiltration (VPI) and the Resulting Chemical and Thermophysical Properties of the Hybrid Material

“…Vapor phase infiltration (VPI) infuses inorganic species into polymers by exposing the polymer to vapor-phase metal–organic or metal halide precursors that sorb into and become “entrapped” within the polymer. − The resultant organic–inorganic hybrid materials have properties that differ from the pure polymer. ,− For example, polymers and block copolymers infiltrated with TiO x have been shown to have altered mechanical, optical, chemical, and thermal properties. ,,− The properties of these hybrids are dependent upon the quantity of infiltrated inorganic material, the chemical bonding between the organic and inorganic components, and the spatial distribution of the inorganic component. ,,, …”

Tailoring the Interfacial Interactions of Porous Polymer Membranes to Accelerate Atomic Layer Deposition: The Latent Path to Antifouling Membranes

“…Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is critical to the realization of industrial-scale, atomically precise, functional MO thin films . Unprecedented control over film thickness at the Angstrom scale and conformal coating capability have motivated the evaluation of ALD metal oxide films for a range of applications including electronics, catalysts, and optics. − Recently, ALD-based hybrid organic–inorganic materials have been investigated due to their relative ease of fabrication compared to conventional solution-based techniques where pH and liquid-phase processability impose limitations. , Key advances in ALD-based hybrid organic–inorganic materials have been realized in many fields with potential applications ranging from flexible electronics to membranes for molecular separations and controlled drug delivery. − The chemistry behind the formation of these hybrid materials is dictated by interactions between the Lewis base/nucleophilic active sites in the polymer matrix and the Lewis acid/electrophilic ALD metal precursors. ,− The self-limiting nature of the ALD reactions ensures precise, conformal coatings, and the composition of the inorganic components can be precisely tuned to modulate the functional properties of these hybrid materials. , …”

“…1,22−24 The self-limiting nature of the ALD reactions ensures precise, conformal coatings, and the composition of the inorganic components can be precisely tuned to modulate the functional properties of these hybrid materials. 25,26 Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS), also named vapor phase infiltration (VPI), is a variant of ALD that relies on diffusion of the chemical precursors through the polymer-free volume and subsequent reaction with the organic polymer functional groups to infiltrate the polymer with inorganic materials. SIS typically uses longer precursor exposure times and higher precursor partial pressures compared to those of ALD to facilitate precursor diffusion and reaction within the polymer volume.…”

Fabrics Modified with Ag Nanowire/Cellulose Nanofibril Composites for High Conductivity, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Ultraviolet Protection, and Thermal Insulation

“…Textile products with a wide range of applications have recently attracted considerable attention along with the development of corresponding technological innovation and growing consumer demands because of their flexibility, machinability, and wearable properties. , Recently, modified fabrics have been reported to show encouraging properties such as EMI shielding, UV protection, thermal insulation, antibacterial, water transport, and other wearable effects and applications. − However, the stability and durability of the modifications remain challenging, particularly in special working environments like underwater, high temperature, light, and fatigue environments. − …”