Polypyrrole-wool composite with electrical heating properties fabricated via layer-by-layer method

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Wool-felt fabrics offer excellent thermal insulation.
• Developing efficient electric heating textiles is crucial for smart clothing and energy conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create conductive polymer-textile composites with enhanced electric heating properties.
• To investigate the effect of polypyrrole deposition on wool-felt fabrics using layer-by-layer cycles.
• To evaluate the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the developed materials.

Main Methods:

• In-situ polymerization of polypyrrole on wool-felt fabrics.
• Utilizing successive layer-by-layer (LBL) cycles for controlled polypyrrole deposition.
• Characterization of material properties including appearance, add-on, mechanical strength, surface resistance, and electrical heating performance.

Main Results:

• Polypyrrole deposition increased with LBL cycles, forming spherical particles on wool fibers.
• Mechanical properties like tensile strength and bending rigidity improved, with minimal impact on strain.
• Surface resistance significantly decreased with polypyrrole deposition.
• Surface temperature increased linearly with LBL cycles under 12V, reaching 15.5°C.
• Sustained heating effect observed post-voltage removal due to wool's low thermal conductivity.
• Exceptional conductivity retention after abrasion and washing.

Conclusions:

• The synergy between wool's insulation and polypyrrole's conductivity creates highly efficient heating fabrics.
• The developed materials demonstrate improved heating performance and energy conservation with stable mechanical properties.
• These conductive polymer-textile composites are suitable for applications in electrical heating smart clothing.