Effect of ion-exchange nanofiber fabrics on water splitting in bipolar membrane

In the present study, the effect of ion-exchange fiber fabric made by electrospray deposition (ESD) on water splitting in a composite bipolar membrane (CBM) was investigated. Cation- and anion-exchange fiber (CEF and AEF) fabrics, which were composed of very thin fibers, were prepared by ESD and postdeposition chemical modification and then used as the intermediate layer of a CBM. The current-voltage characteristics under reverse bias conditions showed that the AEF fabrics enhanced water splitting. The water dissociation is accelerated by the AEF fabric, which contains both tertiary pyridyl groups and quaternary pyridinium groups and has a high specific surface area. On the other hand, the CEF fabric, which contains sulfonic acid groups and has an insufficient specific surface area, reduced water splitting. These results indicate that fiber fabric with catalytic activity and a high surface area obtained by ESD can improve the performance of a CBM.     

Preparation and characterization of flame‐retardant lamellar Mg(OH)2 thin films on citric acid‐treated cotton fabrics

Preparation and characterization of lamellar magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) thin films on cotton fabrics are reported in this paper. Mercerized cotton fabrics were treated with citric acid, so carboxyl groups were introduced to the surface of the fabrics. Mg(OH)₂ seeds were first adsorbed on the citric acid‐treated cotton fabrics and then Mg(OH)₂ thin films grew on the fabric through secondary growth method. Kinetics and isotherm studies found that the adsorption of Mg(OH)₂ seeds on citric acid‐treated cotton fabrics followed pseudo second‐order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. This indicated that Mg(OH)₂ seeds adsorption was monolayer chemical adsorption driven by electric attraction between positively charged Mg(OH)₂ seeds and ? COO^? ions on the cotton fiber surface. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM characterizations of the Mg(OH)₂ thin films covered cotton fabrics found that standing flaky Mg(OH)₂ crystals formed a shell of porous but continuous network on cotton fabric surface. Owing to the Mg(OH)₂ thin film covering, the fabric had fireproof property, lower thermal conductivity and higher optical absorbance in the UV, Vis and IR regions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organic/inorganic hybrid nano-microstructured coatings on insulated substrates by electrospray deposition

Organic/inorganic hybrid nano-microstructured coatings on insulated polymer films were prepared by electrospray deposition (ESD) from an acrylic resin/silica sol blend solution. The surface morphologies of the coated films were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images showed that a nano-microscaled fibrous structure was formed on the film. The fiber diameter decreased from 4.4 microm to 600 nm with the increase in the silica sol content. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis also revealed that silica atoms were homogeneously distributed in the fibrous structure on the polymer film. These results indicated that the ESD method is potentially a useful option for producing nano-microstructured coatings on not only conductive, but also insulating surfaces.     

Flame-retardant Coating by Alternate Assembly of Poly（vinylphosphonic acid） and Polyethylenimine for Ramie Fabrics

A novel intumescent flame retardant coating,consisting of poly(vinylphosphonic acid)(PVPA) as the acid source and branched polyethylenimine(BPEI) as the blowing agent,was constructed on the surface of ramie fabrics by alternate assembly to remarkably improve the flame retardancy of ramie.The PVPA/BPEI coating on the surface of individual fibers of ramie fabric pyrolyzes to form protective char layer upon heating/burning and improves the flame retardancy of ramie.Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the PVPA/BPEI-coated ramie fabrics left as much as 25.8 wt% residue at 600 °C,while the control(uncoated) fabric left less than 1.4 wt% residue.Vertical flame test shows that all PVPA/BPEI-coated fabrics have shorter after-flame time,and the residues well preserved the original weave structure and fiber morphology,whereas,the uncoated fabric left only ashes.Microscale combustion calorimetry shows that the PVPA/BPEI coatings greatly reduce the total heat release by as much as 66% and the heat release capacity by 76%,relative to those of the uncoated fabric.     

Patterned polyelectrolyte multilayer: surface modification for enhancing selective adsorption

This paper describes the use of surface chemical modification to enhance the difference of the surface charge on a patterned polyelectrolyte multilayer, which can be used for selectively adsorbing functional materials. We fabricated a patterned multilayer by combining the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique and photolithography and taking advantage of the different solubility of polyelectrolyte multilayers of diazo resins (DAR)/poly(acrylic acid) before and after UV irradiation. This patterned surface can be used as a matrix for selective adsorption of small molecular dyes, such as Methylene Blue. However the difference in surface charge on the patterned surface was not enough when we used it to selectively adsorb polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles using electrostatic force as the driving force. Therefore, we modified the patterned surface by interfacial chemistry. After modification, the patterned polyelectrolyte multilayer can be used as a good matrix for selective adsorption of PS nanoparticles with both positive and negative charges.     

Experimental investigation on the thermal protective performance of nonwoven fabrics made of high-performance fibers

In this study, the thermal protective performance of nonwoven fabrics made of Nomex (polyisophthaloyl metaphenylene diamine), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), P84 (polyimide), and basalt fibers was investigated. The objective was to determine the influence of fiber type, thickness of fabric, and wet on the thermal protective performance of nonwoven fabric. The thermal resistances of different nonwoven fabrics were measured using a dry hot plate instrument, the basalt nonwoven fabrics had a highest thermal resistance in all fabric, and the thermal resistance of nonwoven fabric increased with the increase in thickness. The six nonwoven fabrics were exposed to a hot environment for a few minutes by using a self-designed apparatus. The test results showed that the nonwoven fabrics made with basalt fiber exhibited the best thermal protective performance, and the thermal protective abilities of nonwoven fabrics increased with fabric thickness. Interestingly, nonwoven fabrics with added water were found to be able to keep the fabric surface lower temperature compared to dry fabrics when exposed to a hot environment, indicating the excellent thermal protective performance of wet nonwoven fabrics.     

Synthesis, performance, and modeling of immobilized nano-sized magnetite layer for phosphate removal

A homogeneous layer of nano-sized magnetite particles (<4 nm) was synthesized by impregnation of modified granular activated carbon (GAC) with ferric chloride, for effective removal of phosphate. A proposed mechanism for the modification and formation of magnetite onto the GAC is specified. BET results showed a significant increase in the surface area of the matrix following iron loading, implying that a porous nanomagnetite layer was formed. Batch adsorption experiments revealed high efficiency of phosphate removal, by the newly developed adsorbent, attaining maximum adsorption capacity of 435 mg PO(4)/g Fe (corresponding to 1.1 mol PO(4)/mol Fe(3)O(4)). It was concluded that initially phosphate was adsorbed by the active sites on the magnetite surface, and then it diffused into the interior pores of the nanomagnetite layer. It was demonstrated that the latter is the rate-determining step for the process. Innovative correlation of the diffusion mechanism with the unique adsorption properties of the synthesized adsorbent is presented.     

Nanoporous block copolymer micelle/micelle multilayer films with dual optical properties

We introduce a novel and versatile approach for preparing self-assembled nanoporous multilayered films with tunable optical properties. Protonated polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and anionic polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) block copolymer micelles (BCM) were used as building blocks for the layer-by-layer assembly of BCM multilayer films. BCM film growth is governed by electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the opposite BCMs. Both film porosity and film thickness are dependent upon the charge density of the micelles, with the porosity of the film controlled by the solution pH and the molecular weight (M(w)) of the constituents. PS(7K)-b-P4VP(28K)/PS(2K)-b-PAA(8K) films prepared at pH 4 (for PS(7K)-b-P4VP(28K)) and pH 6 (for PS(2K)-b-PAA(8K)) are highly nanoporous and antireflective. In contrast, PS(7K)-b-P4VP(28K)/PS(2K)-b-PAA(8K) films assembled at pH 4/4 show a relatively dense surface morphology due to the decreased charge density of PS(2K)-b-PAA(8K). Films formed from BCMs with increased PS block and decreased hydrophilic block (P4VP or PAA) size (e.g., PS(36K)-b-P4VP(12K)/PS(16K)-b-PAA(4K) at pH 4/4) were also nanoporous. This is attributed to a decrease in interdigitation between the adjacent corona shells of the low M(w) BCMs, thus creating more void space between the micelles. Multilayer films with antireflective and photochromic properties were obtained by incorporating a water-insoluble photochromic dye (spiropyran) into the hydrophobic PS core of the BCMs assembled in the films. The optical properties of these films can be modulated by UV irradiation to selectively and reversibly control the transmission of light. Light transmission of higher than 99% was observed with accompanying photochromism in the (PS(7K)-b-P4VP(28K)/PS(2K)-b-PAA(8K)) multilayer films assembled at pH 4/6. Our approach highlights the potential to incorporate a range of materials, ranging from conventional hydrophilic materials with specific interactions to hydrophobic compounds, into the assembled BCMs to yield multifunctional nanoporous films.     

Effect of CO2 laser treatment on cotton surface

In this study, CO₂ laser was used for treating cotton fabric to create surface effects which were found to vary with laser process parameters, i.e. resolution and pixel time. The resolutions used were 40, 50 and 60 dpi while the pixel time used were 100, 110 and 120 μs. Both physical and chemical properties at the surface of fabrics treated with different combinations of resolution and pixel time were analysed by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflection mode (FTIR-ATR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). SEM investigation revealed the appearance of various numbers of pores, cracks and fragments present on the fibre surface after laser treatment. FTIR-ATR spectra showed that the laser-treated cotton fabric suffered changes in chemical structure with the hydroxyl (–OH) stretching group being oxidised to carbonyl/carboxyl groups. The XPS analysis revealed a change in surface elemental composition after laser treatment. Furthermore, the wicking property of the laser-treated cotton fabrics was evaluated.     

Quantitative analysis of cationic poly(vinyl alcohol) diffusion into the hairy structure of cellulose fiber pores: charge density effect

The diffusion of charged polymers into the pores of cellulose fibers has not yet been fully understood due to the complexity of the interaction between polymers and fibers. In this paper, the diffusion of cationic-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) (CPVA) with tailored charge densities and a relatively high molecular weight into the pores of bleached aspen high-yield pulp (via a chemi-thermomechanical pulping process) was quantitatively investigated via an adsorption analysis, charge density analysis, and solute exclusion technique (SET). The results showed that the adsorption of the low-charged CPVA was substantially higher than that of the high-charged CPVA on fibers. The surface charge density analysis confirmed that approximately 17 mg/g of the high-charged CPVA adsorbed on the outer surface and on the macropores of fibers and the remaining (23 mg/g) diffused into the pores. The SET analysis confirmed that the pore size of fibers was more significantly reduced by applying the low-charged CPVA than the high-charged one. The influencing factors for the diffusion of CPVA into the large and small pores were related to the repulsion force developed between the adsorbed polymers and approaching polymers, entropy increase, and the polymer flexibility. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis showed an increase in the surface area of fibers upon CPVA adsorption. It was proposed that the diffused CPVA prevented complete fiber pore collapse during drying, which eventually increased the surface area of fibers.     

Thermoplastic semi-IPN of polypropylene (PP) and polymeric N-halamine for efficient and durable antibacterial activity

Crosslinked polyacrylamide (PAM) was durably immobilized onto polypropylene (PP) by forming a surface thermoplastic semi-interpenetrating network (IPN). Upon conversion of the immobilized amide to N-halamine, the PP substrate was imparted with durable and potent antibacterial activity. The successful modification was limited to one side of the PP fabric only as confirmed by XPS. After the surface modification, surface morphology of the fiber remained relatively unchanged, with only a slight increase in fiber diameter. When the immobilization percentage (IP) was less than 2.5%, a decrease of less than 6.6% in air permeability of the fabric was found. The tensile strength of the fabrics after the modification was well retained and even showed significant improvement as the IP exceeded 2.5%. After a sharp decrease in the first 4 regeneration cycles, the amount of N-halamine on the chlorinated polyacrylamide modified PP fabric leveled off up to 25 regeneration cycles. Even after 25 regeneration cycles, the chlorinated PAM–PP–D fabric was still able to result in 100% reduction of HA-MRSA in 30 min contact.     

活性炭纤维孔结构控制和表面改性

活性炭纤维（ACF-ActivatedCarbonFiber）是本世纪七十年代发展起来的纤维状吸附剂[1]。其吸附性能与表面积、细孔直径、细孔分布等物理结构密切相关，同时与其表面化学结构密不可分，本文综述介绍ACF的孔结构控制方法和表面化学改性与吸附性能的关系。     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel phosphorus–nitrogen‐containing flame retardant and its application for textile

The economic and environmentally friendly flame‐retardant compound, tetramethyl (6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diyl)bis(oxy)bis(methylene) diphosphonate ( CN‐1 ), was synthesized by a simple two‐step procedure from dimethyl phosphate, and its chemical structure was characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. Using the traditional pad–dry–cure method, we obtained several different add‐ons (wt%) by treating cotton twill fabric with flame retardant ( CN‐1 ). Thermogravimetric analysis, in an air and nitrogen atmosphere, of the modified cotton showed that decomposition occurred ~230°C with 16% residue weight char yield at 600°C, indicating high thermal stability for all treated levels. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and the vertical flammability test were employed to determine the effectiveness of the flame‐retardant treatments on the fabrics. LOI values increased from ~18 vol% oxygen in nitrogen for untreated fabric to maximum of 34 vol% for the highest treatment level. Fabrics with higher levels of flame retardant also easily passed the vertical flammability test. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to characterize the chemical structure as well as the surface morphology of the flame‐retardant treated twill fabrics, including char area and the edge between unburned fabric and char area. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

碳纤维三向织物/环氧树脂复合材料的制备与力学性能

选择不同纱线间距[即二经(纬)纱之间的中心距]尺寸的碳纤维三向织物,采用热压成型技术制备了碳纤维三向织物/环氧树脂复合材料.研究了纱线间距及样品裁剪角度等对力学性能的影响,并与碳纤维二向织物/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能进行对比.结果表明,随着纱线间距尺寸从2 mm增加到6 mm,0°方向断裂强度从221. 7 MPa下降到148. 1 MPa,撕裂强力从1000 N下降到600 N; 90°方向断裂强度从50. 0MPa下降到22. 1 MPa,撕裂强力从330 N下降到100 N;顶破强力从424 N下降到216 N.这些力学性能的逐渐降低是单位面积的碳纤维增强体含量减少和织物的孔洞增大共同作用的结果.纱线间距为2 mm的碳纤维三向织物复合材料在0°(以纬纱为基准),30°,45°,60°和90°方向的断裂强度分别为221. 7,48. 5,44. 3,227. 7和50. 0 MPa,即断裂强度在0°和60°方向大于在30°,45°及90°方向.由三向织物的编织原理可知,0°与60°方向完全相同,因此其断裂强度相似,且样品中有一组纱线与外加载荷平行,对形变破坏具有一定的约束作用,而...     

Modification of polyester fibrous materials with surface barrier discharge for making them more hydrophilic

The possibility of using surface barrier discharge for the surface modification of polyester fabrics with the aim of making them more hydrophilic was studied. The action of surface-barrier discharge leads to the formation of hydrophilic oxygen-containing groups on the surface of polyester fabrics owing to weak degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) macromolecules, and the thread surface becomes rougher on the nanolevel. This leads to a considerable decrease in the contact angle and to an increase in the wettability of the polyester fabric, i.e., the fabric becomes considerably more hydrophilic. Modification of the polyether fabric with surface barrier discharge does not cause appreciable decrease in the strength and breaking elongation of the material.     

An attempt of improving polyester inkjet printing performance by surface modification using β‐cyclodextrin

To improve the sharpness and the color yield of polyester fabrics with water‐based pigment inkjet printing, surface modification was proceeded using β‐cyclodextrin and citric acid. Fabrics were modified in the solution of β‐cyclodextrin with the concentration 100g/L and citric acid 100g/L. The line width and image area of printed patterns, which could evaluate the printing performances, on the modified polyester fabric were decreased by 77% and 62% in comparison with that of the control, respectively. The color yield characterized by the K/S value was enhanced by 47%. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope images confirmed that the capillary effect was decreased and the surface roughness was increased after the surface modification. The microscope images of the printed patterns clearly showed that the sharpness and the color yield were improved. Thereby, β‐cyclodextrin modification offered a potential way to polyester pretreatment for pigment inkjet printing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

两步辐射接枝法制备抗熔滴涤纶织物

以涤纶(PET)为基材,利用两步γ辐射接枝法在PET织物表面依次引发甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)/二乙烯苯(DVB)和乙烯基磷酸二甲酯(DMVP)接枝共聚,制备了新型抗熔滴PET织物.接枝率随吸收剂量和单体浓度的增加而增加,随剂量率增加而下降.傅里叶红外(FTIR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和热重分析(TGA)的分析结果表明在PET织物上成功引入目标接枝聚合物.相比PET织物,辐射改性PET织物的拉伸强度以及断裂伸长率均有所提高.通过引入交联网状结构以及促进成炭的含磷接枝聚合物,PET织物的抗熔滴特性得到了明显改善,燃烧过程中平均产生一滴熔滴的时间:PET为3.0 s/n,PET接枝PGMA/DVB后延长为17.0 s/n,而进一步接枝PDMVP后在整个燃烧过程中均不产生熔滴.这种新型的方法有望用于PET织物防护服抗熔滴性能的改善.     

Salt-free dyeing of ramie fabric with an amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer

A new amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (at-HBP) was synthesized, and its salt-free dyeing property on ramie fabric was studied. The structure and molecular weight of at-HBP were established by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, H nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The untreated ramie fabric and modified ramie fabrics were characterized by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron micrograph (FE-SEM). XRD results showed a transformation of the crystalline structure from ramie cellulose I to cellulose II allomorph during mercerization and epichlorohydrin modification, and the crystalline structure of cellulose II was maintained with an obvious crystallinity index increase after at-HBP modification. FE-SEM results confirmed that at-HBP was successfully grafted onto the fabric surface. Dyed with reactive dye C.I. reactive Blue 4, the color strength of the at-HBP-modified fabric was enhanced, even when dyeing was carried out without the electrolyte. The washing and rubbing fastness of the salt-free dyeing of fabrics was also good compared with those obtained by conventional dyeing. The adsorption isotherm of C.I. reactive Blue 4 on modified fabric was examined and found to follow a Langmuir-type adsorption model. The at-HBP modification mechanism of ramie fabric and dyeing mechanism with reactive dye were suggested.     

WPU/Cu2-XSe coated cotton fabrics for photothermal conversion and photochromic applications

Cellulose - Multifunctional cotton fabrics were fabricated by coating of anionic waterborne polyurethane (WPU)/Cu2-XSe. The surface morphology of WPU/Cu2-XSe coated cotton fabric was characterized...     

Honeycomb-patterned films of polystyrene/poly(ethylene glycol): preparation,surface aggregation and protein adsorption

Highly ordered honeycomb-patterned polystyrene (PS)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) films were prepared by a water-assisted method using an improved setup, which facilitated the formation of films with higher regularity, better reproducibility, and larger area of honeycomb structures. Surface aggregation of hydrophilic PEG and adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the honeycomb-patterned films were investigated. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to observe the surface morphologies of the films before and after being rinsed with water. As confirmed by the FESEM images and the AFM phase images, PEG was enriched in the pores and could be gradually removed by water. The adsorption of fluorescence-labeled BSA on the films was studied in visual form using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results clearly demonstrated that the protein-resistant PEG was selectively enriched in the pores. This water-assisted method may be a latent tool to prepare honeycomb-patterned biofunctional surfaces. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50803053), the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Distinguished Young Scholars (Grant No. 50625309), the National Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20070421172 & 20081466) and the National Undergraduate Innovative Test Program