Vapor Phase Infiltration (VPI) for multifunctional and antimicrobial textile

CIC nanoGUNE Seminars

Speaker

Natalia Chamorro, Post-doctoral Researcher, Nanomaterials, CIC nanoGUNE

When

2022/09/26
11:00

Place

nanoGUNE seminar room, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia - San Sebastian

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**Vapor Phase Infiltration (VPI) for multifunctional and antimicrobial textile** Natalia Chamorro Post-doctoral Researcher, Nanomaterials, CIC nanoGUNE The growing demand for functionality and connectivity in the textile industry has motivated the development of textile products based on nanotechnology. The textile industry is seeking materials with a wide range of exciting new applications such as self-cleaning, antibacterial, anti-odor, etc., ideally at the same time. One of the very promising strategies to implement such properties into textiles is the application of vapor phase chemistry to the manufactured textile. In this work, we present our strategy to functionalize textiles with a mixed composition, namely denim jeans (a mix of cotton and polyethylene fibers) with the incorporation of TiO2, ZnO, and Al2O3 by applying vapor phase infiltration (VPI). Not only we demonstrate the utility of the VPI technique, but we also investigate the stability of the chemical structure and properties of the hybrid material under long-term use conditions. We show that the VPI process can have a very positive impact on the wetting, UV blocking and antimicrobial properties of the textile. Furthermore, the durability of the hybrid fabrics has been investigated by simulated washing processes to demonstrate the applicability of the approach in real life. Further important properties of the hybrid textile materials are currently being evaluated.