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Thermo-Fluorescent Bactericidal Quantum Dots Based Smart Multifunctional Textiles via Molecular Surface Engineering
Poushali Das1, Sayan Ganguly2, Parham Khoshbakht Marvi1
1School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|March 16, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed smart textiles with carbon dots (CDs) and polymers, creating functional fabrics that are thermo-fluorescent, UV-protective, and antibacterial for advanced wearable systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Textile Chemistry
Background:
- Next-generation wearable systems require functional textiles with optical activity, environmental responsiveness, and structural adaptability.
- Existing smart textiles often lack multifunctionality, durability, or specific properties like thermo-responsiveness and UV protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a versatile strategy for fabricating advanced smart textiles using carbon dot (CD)/polymer nanocomposite coatings.
- To impart thermo-fluorescent, UV-protective, and antibacterial properties to textiles for enhanced wearable applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized hydrothermally-prepared carbon dots (CDs) exhibiting excitation-dependent emission and excellent photostability.
- Fabricated nanocomposite coatings using a PVA/quaternized chitosan matrix with CDs, applied via dip-and-dry and spray methods.
- Modified textiles with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane for durable hydrophobicity and integrated with digital light processing printing.
Main Results:
- Coated textiles demonstrated thermo-responsive fluorescence (5-100°C), with enhanced emission below 37°C and quenching above.
- Achieved strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtilis, notable antioxidant performance, and >95% relative increment in UVB blocking.
- The functional fabrics maintained fluorescence under mechanical deformation and showed coating-cycle-dependent emission, withstanding repeated use.
Conclusions:
- The developed carbon dot/polymer nanocomposite coatings provide a multifunctional platform for advanced smart textile applications.
- The strategy enables the creation of durable, responsive, and protective textiles suitable for next-generation wearable systems.
- Integration with digital light processing printing allows for complex hybrid architectures without compromising textile functionality.
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