Graphene Functionalized Cotton Nonwoven for Thermotherapy

Abstract

Graphene-based electroconductive textile materials are advantageous over metal/gel-based heating pads for thermotherapy because of their flexibility, processability, and ability to maintain a constant temperature for an extended period. The electro-thermal properties of graphene-based nonwoven depend on its surface resistivity which in turn depends on the amount of graphene oxide (GO) deposition. In this work, highly conductive, flexible, lightweight, and antibacterial graphene functionalized cotton nonwoven with excellent electro-thermal performance is reported. For this, needle punched nonwoven structure is designed and its construction variables (Fabric GSM, punch density, and depth of penetration) are optimized with the Box-Behnken response surface design to achieve maximum GO adsorption and minimum surface resistivity. The lowest surface resistivity of 727.57 Ω sq−1 is achieved at 22.18% GO add-on. The functionalized fabric shows excellent electro-thermal properties and a maximum surface temperature of 118°C is achieved at 30V DC supply. The change in surface resistivity of rGO-cotton (reduced graphene oxide coated cotton) is insignificant even after atmospheric aging for 10 weeks, 4 washings and 10 rubbings. Antibacterial activity of 97.10% is achieved toward Staphylococcus aureus bacterium.

Keywords

• graphene
• cotton nonwoven
• box-behnken design
• optimization
• resistive heating
• electro-thermal property