Developing novel multifunctional protective clothes for disabled individuals using bio-based electrospun nanofibrous...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Developing advanced protective textiles is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
• Existing protective apparel often lacks the necessary combination of comfort, breathability, and advanced functionalities.
• Bio-based materials offer sustainable and adaptable solutions for specialized textile applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a novel dual-layer protective textile using bio-based electrospun nanofibrous membranes.
• To engineer specific surface properties, including super-hydrophobicity and super-hydrophilicity, for enhanced performance.
• To evaluate the thermal regulation, mechanical properties, and antimicrobial efficacy of the developed fabric.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of dual-layer nanofibrous membranes using electrospinning of polylactic acid (PLA).
• Modification of the top layer with silica nanoparticles to achieve super-hydrophobicity (contact angle ~153°).
• Incorporation of silver nanoparticles into the bottom layer for antimicrobial properties and modification for super-hydrophilicity.
• Characterization of fiber morphology, porosity, contact angles, mechanical strength, and thermal performance.

Main Results:

• The hydrophobic PLA nanofibrous membrane exhibited a smooth, bead-less structure (average diameter 950 nm).
• The hydrophilic layer showed a similar structure with smaller fiber diameter dispersion (average diameter 750 nm).
• The dual-layer fabric demonstrated super-hydrophobic top layer, super-hydrophilic bottom layer, breathability (1.2-1.5 μm porosity), and significant infrared radiation reflection.
• Wearing the fabric reduced hand temperature by 25% in direct sunlight and 13% under a sun simulator.
• The textile achieved 4.9 MPa ultimate tensile strength and 68% elongation.

Conclusions:

• The developed bio-based nanofibrous textile offers a unique combination of water repellency, antimicrobial activity, breathability, and thermal comfort.
• The fabric's properties make it suitable for applications such as adult diapers, outdoor clothing, and disability accessories.
• This innovative protective textile has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for disabled and elderly individuals by providing tailored functional apparel.