Fundamental and practical aspects concerning the characterization of smart textiles

Abstract

The research aims towards a novel methodology of ZnO impregnation onto polyamide supports, in order to attain a special inorganic-organic hybrid polymer material, with increased UV-barrier attributes and high hydrophobicity. The experimental approach employed ZnO micro particles powder. Solutions with different concentrations of ZnO powder dispersed in methanol are prepared as anti-UV finishing agent and applied onto polyamide fabric. The responsive behaviour of this complex polymer network to UV irradiation, the photo protective performance and its time stability, also the hydrophobic character are assessed by different characterization techniques. The proposed method has advantages, like: easy standardization, at lower production cost, resulting a high homogeneity and dispersion of ZnO micro particles into the textile polymeric network. The covered polymeric supports show better photo protective response, higher hydrophobicity and control on the surface charge induced by irradiation. This method granted enhanced quality, comfort and long term stability of the intelligent/smart garments.