Lea Botteri

Light Conversion and Scattering in UV Protective Textiles

Abstract The primary cause of skin cancer is believed to be a long exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-R) crossed with the amount of skin pigmentation in the population. It is believed that in childhood and adolescence 80% of UV-R gets absorbed, whilst in the remaining 20% gets absorbed later in the lifetime. This suggests that proper and early photoprotection may reduce the risk of subsequent occurrence of skin cancer. Textile and clothing are the most suitable interface between environment and human body. It can show UV protection, but in most cases it does not provide full sun screening properties. UV protection ability highly depends on large number of factors such as type of fibre, fabric surface and construction, type and concentration of dyestuff, fluorescent whitening agent (FWA), UV-B protective agents, as well as nanoparticles, if applied. Based on electronically excited state by energy of UV-R (usually 340-370 nm), the molecules of FWAs show the phenomenon of fluorescence giving to white textiles high whiteness of outstanding brightness by reemitting the energy at the blue region (typically 420-470 nm) of the spectrum. By absorbing UV-A radiation, optical brightened fabrics transform this radiation into blue fluorescence, which leads to better UV protection. Natural zeolites are rock-forming, microporous silicate minerals. Applied as nanoparticles to textile surface, it scatters the UV-R resulting in lower UV-A and UV-B transmission. If applied with other UV absorbing agents, e.g. FWAs, synergistic effect occurs. Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. It provides a unique soft touch, is very resistant to washing and improves the property of fabric to protect against UV radiation. Therefore, the UV protective properties of cotton fabric achieved by light conversion and scattering was researched in this paper. For that purpose, the stilbene-derived FWAs were applied on cotton fabric in wide concentration range without/with the addition of natural zeolite or silicone- polydimethylsiloxane. UV protection was determined in vitro through ultraviolet protection factor. Additionally, the influence to fabric whiteness and hand was researched

Silica Precursor as Synergist for Cotton Flame Retardancy

Purpose – The cotton and its blends is the most commonly used textile material in the design and production of protective clothing. However, as the cellulose textiles are the most flammable materials it is necessary to improve its flame retardancy. The government regulations have been the driving force for developing durable flame retardants finishes for textile, to improve its performance and to reduce the negative impact on the environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper investigates the effect of silica precursor (tetraethoxysilane – TEOS) added in bath with conventional flame retardant urea/ammonium polyphosphate in full and half concentration for achieving environmental-friendly cotton flame retardancy. Silica precursors have excellent thermal stability and high heat resistance with very limited release of toxic gases during the thermal decomposition. Synergistic effect between urea/ammonium polyphosphate and TEOS has been calculated. Thermal properties of treated cotton fabrics were determined by limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC). Findings – TEOS, significantly improves the flame retardancy of cotton when added in the bath with conventional flame retardants urea/ammonium polyphosphate by increasing the LOI values and other thermal properties as increasing char residue measured by TGA and higher heat release rate measured by MCC. Originality/value – This paper represent a good synergistic effect between urea/ammonium polyphosphate and TEOS. This phenomena is evident in better thermal properties when TEOS was added in the bath with conventional flame retardant especially for half concentration of urea/ammonium polyphosphate.