UV-Induced Photochromic Macrofibers Derived from Bacterial Cellulose

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Commercially available photochromic fibers rely on petroleum-based polymers, conflicting with sustainability goals.
• There is a growing demand for eco-friendly functional materials in the textile industry.
• Bio-based materials offer a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, eco-friendly, and fast-reversible photochromic bio-based fibers.
• To investigate the integration of photochromic microcapsules into bacterial cellulose macrofibers.
• To assess the mechanical and photochromic properties of the developed bio-based fibers.

Main Methods:

• Wet spinning of bacterial cellulose (BC) and TEMPO-oxidized BC (TOBC) nanofibers with spirooxazine-based photochromic microcapsules (PM).
• Amide reaction utilized for fiber fabrication.
• Characterization of mechanical strength and photochromic response (response time, reversibility, UV spectrum).

Main Results:

• Developed photochromic bio-based macrofibers using BC, TOBC, and PM.
• Achieved a maximum breaking strength of 1.51 cN/dtex at 0.2 wt.% PM concentration, a 14% increase over pure TOBC.
• Demonstrated fast (1s), reversible color change under UV light (200-400 nm), with durable performance.
• Successfully created UV-induced color-changing flowers and patterned textiles as proof-of-concept.

Conclusions:

• Innovative eco-friendly photochromic bio-based fibers were successfully developed.
• The developed fibers exhibit excellent mechanical and fast-reversible photochromic properties.
• These bio-based fibers represent a promising new generation for anti-counterfeiting and fashion textiles, aligning with sustainability initiatives.