M. C. Kuo

Preparation and Properties of α-Cellulose Short Fiber-Reinforced Poly(lactic Acid) Composites

The objective of this study is to fabricate the PLA/α-cellulose composites and to investigate the effect of α-cellulose short fibers on the toughness improvement of PLA. To homogeneously disperse the polar α-cellulose in the non-polar PLA matrix, the as-received α-cellulose was subjected to surface modification using stearic acid to impart the hydrophobic characteristics to the short fibers. The α-cellulose fibers dispersed more homogeneously in PLA through this modification, and consequently, the fiber pull-out and longer micro-crack length could improve the toughness and damping property of the resulting PLA composites. The inclusion of α-cellulose short fibers considerably decreased the spherulite dimension of the PLA/α-cellulose composites to accommodate larger deformation through grain boundary sliding. The PLA/α-cellulose composite improved its toughness by three times that of the neat PLA with low α-cellulose content (∼4 wt.%), and maintained its transparency.

Sol-gel synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid materials comprising SnO2, silica, and thiazole dyes on polyester fabrics for water repellent and warmth retaining finishing

In this work, an inorganic/organic hybrid material composed of tin dioxide, silica, and heteroaryl 2-aminothiazole was derived. Heteroaryl 2-aminothiazole, which acts as the coupling component, was synthesized based on a previously published method and coupled with p-nitroaniline, which is the diazonium component, to yield the heteroaryl thiazole azo dyes. Alternatively, tin dioxide/silica/thiazole dye hybrid materials were prepared by heating tetrahydrofuran solutions containing these thiazole dyes with various amounts of tin chloride and tetraethoxysilane to promote hydrolytic polycondensation via the sol-gel method. The structure of these hybrid tin dioxide/silica/thiazole dye materials was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The uniform dyeing of the polyester fabric revealed by the scanning electron microscope images confirmed the reaction of the hybrid materials with the polyester fabrics. The results of the characterization of the warmth retention, color strength, water repellency, and air permeability of the polyester fabric dyed with the tin dioxide/silica/thiazole dye hybrid materials indicated that the sol-gel hybrid-material finishing agents significantly improve the properties of polyester fabric.

Degradation of Textile Dye by UV Light Using Nano Zno/Bamboo Charcoal Photocatalysts

Degradation of Textile Dye by UV Light Using Nano Zno/Bamboo Charcoal Photocatalysts The purpose of this study is to fabricate a composite material made of nano zinc oxide and bamboo charcoal through calcination and to investigate the decolorization effect of this composite material on simulated textile wastewater containing the acidic dye C.I. Acid Red 266. The parameters contributing to the photocatalytic decolorization of Acid Red 266 are the concentration of the composite solution, the proportion of nano zinc oxide and bamboo charcoal in the composite, the change in the pH of the dye solution, and the reaction time under UV irradiation. The decolorization of C.I. Acid Red 266 by the composite materials is measured with an ultraviolet spectrometer. The experimental result shows that decolorization is optimal when the pH of the dye solution is 4 and the proportion of nano zinc oxide and bamboo charcoal in the composite material is 1:9.

Fabrication of novel multifunctional hybrid materials for PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics finishing

A series of some novel hybrid materials prepared via a sol-gel process have been synthesized from methyltrimethoxysilane and titanium n-butoxide with heterocyclic thiazole azo dyes. Silica/titania/thiazole azo dyes hybrid materials were synthesized via a sol-gel process with a precursor system. Alternatively, the heterocyclic thiazole azo dyes were catalytically processed by means of hydrolysis-condensation reactions with appropriate amounts of a mixture of vinyltriethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and titanium n-butoxide at a fixed molar ratio. The structure of these hybrid silica/titania/thiazole dye materials was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The surface morphology of processed PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed uniform dyeing, thereby confirming the reaction of the hybrid materials with the PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics. The water contact angle, washing fastness, color evenness, air permeability, and weatherability characteristics of the as-prepared dyed PET/PA6 nonwoven fabrics were subsequently evaluated. Results revealed improved weatherability and good water repellency. Further, it was also revealed that dyeing and finishing could be achieved in a single bath, which is advantageous to reduce processing costs.

Performance of PTT fabric treated with CNTs/SiO2/thiazole dye hybrid materials

A series of CNTs/SiO2/thiazole dye hybrid materials prepared via the sol-gel process is synthesized from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and tetraethoxysilane with heteroaryl 4-phenyl-2-amino-thiazole dyes. Heterocyclic 4-phenyl-2-aminothiazole dyes are processed with the hydrolysis-condensation reaction at a constant ratio of vinyltriethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane condensed with modified CNTs in appropriate proportion under a catalyst. The structures of the CNTs/SiO2/thiazole dye hybrid materials are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) fabrics are used to evaluate the morphology structure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images show that a uniform dyeing on the PTT fabrics to confirm the reaction of hybrid materials with PTT fabrics. The washing fastness, color evenness, water contact angle, air permeability, electric conductivity, and weatherability of PTT fabrics dyed with CNTs/SiO2/thiazole dye hybrid materials are evaluated, with results indicating improved conductivity and water-repellent.

Water repellency and warmth retention finishes for polyester fabrics based on hybrid materials comprising zirconia, silica, and thiazole dyes prepared via sol-gel synthesis

A series of hybrid materials composed of zirconia, silica, and thiazole dyes were synthesized from zirconium npropoxide (ZNP) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) using heteroaryl 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes, and prepared via the sol-gel process. The heterocyclic 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes underwent a hydrolysis-condensation reaction with an appropriate proportion of ZNP under a catalyst, using a constant ratio of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and TEOS. The structures of these hybrid materials composed of zirconia/silica/thiazole dyes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The surface morphologies of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images demonstrated the uniform dyeing of the PET fabrics, which confirmed the reaction of the hybrid materials with the PET fabrics. The water contact angle, washing fastness, color uniformity, and warmth retention of the PET fabrics dyed with the hybrid materials composed of the zirconia/silica/thiazole dyes were evaluated. The evaluation results indicated that these fabrics offered enhanced warmth retention properties and good water repellency.

Functional Finishing in Polyamide Fabrics using Dye/ Inorganic Hybrid Materials comprising Silica and Heteroaryl 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Dye

Development of Aloe Gel Coated Single Jersey Fabric for Dermatitis The awareness of health and hygiene for consumers has increased the demand for antimicrobial textiles. Whilst in the past it was predominantly technical textiles which had antimicrobial finishes in particular to protect against bacteria and fungi; now-a-days textiles worn close to the body have been developed for a variety of different applications as far as medical and hygienic tasks. Antimicrobial finish on fabrics can minimize the transfer of microorganisms onto the wearer by creating a physical barrier. The various medicinal plants found in nature exhibit excellent anti-microbial properties. A novel attempt has been imparted in this research work to develop medicinal herb Aloe barbadensis gel extracts treated single jersey cotton knitted fabrics using alternate medical concepts to cure atopic dermatitis. It involves the applications of aloe gel extracts of the plant onto cotton knitted fabric by optimizing finish process conditions such as concentration, time and temperature by Box and Behnken statistical method.

Functional processing of PET fabrics using boehmite/silica/thiazole dye hybrid materials

A series of hybrid materials composed of boehmite/silica/thiazole dyes and prepared via the sol-gel process is synthesized from aluminum isopropoxide (AIP) and tetraethoxysilane using heteroaryl 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes. Heterocyclic 2-amino-thiazole azo dyes undergo a hydrolysis-condensation reaction with an appropriate proportion of AIP under a catalyst, at a constant ratio of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The structures of these hybrid materials composed of boehmite/silica/thiazole dyes are characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The surface morphology of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics is evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images show uniform dyeing of the PET fabrics that confirms the reaction of the hybrid materials with the PET fabrics. The water contact angle, washing fastness, color evenness, air permeability, and warmth retention of the PET fabrics dyed with hybrid materials composed of boehmite/silica/thiazole dyes are evaluated. The evaluation results indicate improved warmth retention property and good water repellency.

Medical effects of poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET) non-woven fabrics treated with bamboo activated charcoal

In this study, bamboo activated charcoal was mixed with acrylic resin in various proportions and deposited on poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET) non-woven fabrics. A series of characterizations were carried out to estimate the performances of PET non-woven fabrics such as far infrared ray emission, heat retention, negative ions, deodorization of ammonia gas and tenacity. The results obtained indicate that the temperature difference on the surface of treated non-woven fabrics after exposure to a halogen lamp was between 4.28 to 8.26°C. The test for negative ions demonstrated that the concentration of negative ions released from treated non-woven fabrics was 420 to 630 ions/cm 3 . The deodorization rate of the treated non-woven fabrics was found to be between 85 to 92% and the rate was the same for 5 and 10 g/L of bamboo activated charcoal addition. An increase in resin concentration increased the abrasion strength and tensile strength; and reduced the tear strength of the treated non-woven fabrics. The bamboo activated charcoal concentration exhibited no effect on the physical properties of the treated non-woven fabrics. Key words: Poly-ethylene terephthalate (PET), non-woven fabrics, bamboo activated charcoal, far infrared ray, negative ions, deodorization.