S. X. Jiang

Optimization of electroless nickel plating on polyester fabric

Electrical conductivity is an important property of electroless nickel plated fabric. The optimized electroless nickel plating method can provide useful information for textile industries to obtain optimum surface resistance and stable plating. In this study, a screening experiment with factorial design and response surface method (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the electroless nickel plating on polyester fabric. A two-level full factorial design (FFD) was used to determine the effects of five factors, i.e. the concentrations of nickel sulfate, sodium hypophosphite and sodium citrate, pH and temperature of the plating solution on surface resistance of the electroless nickel plated fabric. It is found that the nickel sulfate concentration and temperature of the plating solution are the most significant variables affecting the surface resistance of electroless nickel plated fabric. The optimum operating condition is finally obtained by using a desirability function. The test for reliability for predicting response surface equations shows that these equations give an excellent fitting to the observed values. In addition, the deposit composition, surface morphology, crystal structure and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) were studied. The EMI SE of the nickel plated polyester fabric obtained under the optimal condition is about 60 dB at the frequency ranging from 2 to 18 GHz.

Application of laser treatment for fashion design

In this study, surface treatment using laser engraving for fashion design on polyester fabric was investigated. The properties, such as weight, thickness, tear strength, tensile strength, colour difference and optical microscope view, of original and treated materials were evaluated. The results demonstrate that this treatment is a feasible design method for fashion design and it can engrave different motifs to change the appearance of the garment. In addition, this treatment’s approach differs from ordinary design methods as there is no discharge of polluted water, it gives a fine appearance to the garment and can create added value.

Textile design application via electroless copper plating

Metallized textile has metallic color with reflective effect and smooth handle. The electroless copper plating on fabric using hypophosphite as a reducing agent is feasible process for design application. This study aims to investigate the appearance of the copper-plated Green-PN fabric produced by electroless plating with different deposition conditions including different nickel sulfate concentrations and pH of plating bath. Various colors were produced after the copper-plated fabrics had been exposed to the copper plating bath at 85°C and pH 8.5 for different time. Design application of the electroless copper plating on Green-PN fabric and Black-CVPN fabric was carried out. The electroless copper plating could change the original appearance of the fabric through the deposition of copper particles on the fabric surface. The final pattern was well-defined using many details such as lines and forms created by the design methods. The study laid the foundation of the electroless copper plating for textile design.

Influence of Deposition Parameters and Kinetics of Electroless Ni-P Plating on Polyester Fiber

The electroless nickel-phosphorous (Ni-P) plating on polyester fiber using sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent in alkaline medium was studied. The effects of plating parameters including concentrations, pH and bath temperature of the plating bath on deposition rate of the electroless Ni-P plating were investigated. The results reveal that the deposition rates increase with the increase in the concentration of nickel sulfate, sodium hypophosphite, pH and bath temperature, respectively. However, it is determined that the deposition rates decrease with the rise of sodium citrate. The kinetics of the deposition reaction was investigated and an empirical rate equation for electroless Ni-P plating on polyester fiber was developed.

Effects of deposition parameters of electroless copper plating on polyester fabric

Properties of electroless copper-plated polyester fabric mainly depend on the plating bath constituents/conditions. The nickel serves to catalyze the copper deposition when hypophosphite is used as a reducing agent. In this study, the effects of deposition parameters including additive NiSO4 concentration and pH on microstructure and properties of the electroless copper plating on polyester fabric using hypophosphite as a reducing agent were investigated. The results show that at a higher NiSO4 concentration, the copper content present in the coating decreases whereas the nickel content increases slightly. On the other hand, the copper content present in the coating increases, whereas the nickel content and phosphorus decreases with respect to the rise of pH. The morphology of the copper deposits show that the particle size increase with respect to the rise of NiSO4 concentration and pH. The XRD patterns indicate that the copper-plated polyester fabrics are crystalline. In addition, there is a decrease in the surface resistance and an increase in the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) with respect to the rise of Ni2+ concentration and pH of the solution as a result of gaining a greater weight in the deposits. The results suggest that the copper-plated polyester fabrics have a great potential application as an EMI shielding material.

Metallized textile design through electroless plating and tie-dyeing technique

The aim of the study is to investigate design effects of the electroless metal plated fabrics in order to meet the requirement of high technical and apparel applications by using tie-dyeing technique. The appearance of nickel plated and nickel/copper multilayer plated fabrics obtained under different conditions and tie-dyeing technique was investigated, respectively. Metallized textile design by nickel and copper was developed using tie-dyeing method. The nickel/copper multilayer plated fabric indicates that the color changfe from red to gray is with respect to an increase of thickness of the nickel deposits. The resisting effects by using tie-dyeing on the metallized fabrics depend entirely on the texture and strength of the tie-dyeing conditions used. The study reveals that metallized textiles design by combining electroless plating and tie-dyeing are promising for decorative and fashion application.

Polyester metallisation with electroless silver plating process

In this paper, electroless silver plating process for polyester was reported. The electroless silver plating is basically divided into four stages including pre-cleaning, sensitisation, electroless silver deposition and post-treatment. As the electroless silver plating stage is the key stage in affecting the brilliant appearance and various functional properties such as conductivity and ultra-violet protection, we will study the effect of process variables, i.e. amount of silver nitrate (AgNO3), concentration of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and process temperature, using increased amount of silver in fabric surface as an indicator, for optimising the electroless silver plating process for possible industrial application. Experimental results revealed that amount of silver nitrate (AgNO3)=1.77×10−3 mole; concentration of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)=6.25 %; concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)=0.008 g/ml and process temperature=25 °C can give the best electroless silver plating for polyester fabric. The surface characteristics of the electroless silver-plated polyester fabric were evaluated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Meanwhile, the performance properties of the electroless silver-plated polyester fabric were measured by CIE L*, a* and b* values, conductivity as well as ultraviolet protection. The experimental results would be discussed thoroughly in this paper.

Application of Laser Engraving for Sustainable Fashion Design

In this paper, the novel surface effects of fashion garments through CO2 laser engraving treatment were investigated. To improve the visual appearance, the wool/polyester blended fabric was treated with ideal parameters including resolution (dpi) and pixel time (μs). The physical properties, which include weight, thickness, air permeability, thermal conductivity and tear strength, were evaluated in accordance with international specifications. This study reveals the potential of feasible fashion designs through laser engraving. The computer-aided design method can open up new possibilities for green fashion design. It is believed that fashion design with rich artistic appearances such as patterns, colors and textures can cater for fashion industries and the process can facilitate quick responses to the market.

Silver nanoparticle coating on cotton fabric modified with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)

Silver nanoparticles were coated on cotton fabric modified with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The synthesised silver nanoparticles were characterised by transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The silver nanoparticle coated cotton fabrics modified with PDDA were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of concentration of PDDA in the pretreatment solution on colour characteristics and UV transmittance of the silver nanoparticle coated cotton fabrics modified with PDDA were investigated. Colour fastness of silver coated cotton fabrics modified with PDDA was also evaluated. The results show that the PDDA modified cotton fabrics are covered with dense silver nanoparticles. Colour strength of the silver nanoparticle coated cotton fabric modified with PDDA increases with the rise of concentration of PDDA in pretreatment solution. The incorporation of PDDA improves washing fastness of silver nanoparticle coated cotton fabrics.

Microstructure and hydrophobic properties of silver nanoparticles on amino-functionalised cotton fabric

A simple one-step chemical reduction method was employed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) modified cotton fabric. The presence of amino-terminated APTMS on cotton fabric was demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The resulting silver coating on cotton fabric was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction. The effects of deposition parameters including concentrations and temperature of the solution on deposition rate of silver coating on amino-functionalised cotton fabric were investigated. Growth morphology of silver coating was discussed. Hydrophobic property of silver nanoparticle coated cotton fabric modified with APTMS was evaluated. The result indicates that modification of APTMS on the surface of cotton fibres leads to increase in the loading efficiency of silver nanoparticles and improves hydrophobic property of cotton fabric with contact angle of 145.8°.