Multifunctional thermoregulating and water repellent cellulosic textile

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Textile thermal comfort is crucial for user well-being in clothing and wearables.
• Developing advanced textiles with thermoregulation and water repellency is an ongoing challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce thermoregulation properties into regenerated man-made cellulose fibers.
• To develop a functional textile combining thermal regulation and water repellency.

Main Methods:

• Embedding myristic acid as a phase change material (PCM) into cellulose fibers using Ioncell® technology.
• Conducting calorimetric analysis to determine phase change properties.
• Applying a hydrophobic coating of octadecenyl succinic anhydride for water repellency.

Main Results:

• PCM-incorporated fibers exhibited dynamic thermal regulation with a melting enthalpy of 73 J/g at 54°C.
• The thermoregulation properties remained stable after 100 thermal cycles.
• The treated fabric achieved a water contact angle of 75°, indicating good water repellency.

Conclusions:

• The developed textile effectively combines thermal regulation and water repellency using eco-friendly methods.
• This PCM-incorporated cellulose fiber offers a sustainable alternative to conventional functional textiles.
• The technology shows promise for advanced wearable technology and everyday clothing applications.