PhD thesis defense: Advanced multifunctional hybrid textiles via Vapor Phase Infiltration

Textiles form an essential part of our daily lives, having become so common that we no longer perceive them as technology. Natural textile fibers provide multiple advantages, often outperforming synthetic alternatives, yet their capabilities become insufficient in applications that demand advanced, highly specific functionalities. Hybrid materials combine organic and inorganic components to create systems with enhanced and tunable properties, offering a route to overcome these limitations. This concept has already been applied to textiles; however, the existing synthesis techniques still face drawbacks that hinder their implementation in real-world applications. 

 

In this thesis, multifunctional cotton-based hybrid textiles were developed via Vapor Phase Infiltration (VPI), a technique that enables the incorporation of inorganic materials, specifically ZnO and TiO2, both at the surface and within the bulk of textile fibers, forming strong chemical bonds with the organic matrix. A process was established to treat macroscopic pieces of woven fabric, achieving the uniform infiltration of all individual fibers. The functional properties of the resulting hybrid textiles were characterized, demonstrating the successful, durable integration of photoprotective, self-cleaning, antimicrobial, and flame-retardant capabilities through a single VPI treatment. The visual and tactile perception of the fabrics were assessed to ensure the preservation of the original aesthetic appeal and physical qualities of the fabrics. 

 

This work, conducted as part of an industrial PhD, aims to bridge scientific research and industrial applications by developing washable, durable hybrid textiles through a single, scalable VPI process, thereby advancing the implementation of VPI for multifunctional textile development in industrial settings.