Key features of blend denim fabrics performance with dyed weft silk yarn and different weave structures.

This research aimed to weave the warp indigo-dyed cotton yarn with un-dyed or dyed silk yarn and analyze the impact of different weft yarn structures on the properties of denim fabrics. The dyed silk yarn was performed by a selection of different anionic indigo and non-indigo blue dyestuffs. The dyeing shades of the anionic Indigo Carmine dye on silk exhibited high build-up at the acidic pH range 2-2.5 with poor washing fastness and even so, the cationic aftertreatment of the dyed silk samples showed un-matched color with indigo-dyed cotton yarns. The dyeing properties of two commercial non-indigo reactive and acid dyes on silk add other advantages. To ascertain the dyeing shades evaluation of the non-indigo dyes on silk, two sets of blended denim fabrics were investigated. The first set included a weft-wise silk yarn dyed with reactive dye RB 5, and the second set included silk yarns dyed with acid dye AB 193. Weaving of the blended fabrics was carried out in Twill 3/1, 3/2 Z,and Satin 53 patterns and exhibited significant color effects of the dyed silk yarns to those of the un-dyed control samples. The dyeing shades of the non-indigo RB 5 and AB 193 dyed weft-wise silk yarns were found to be matched in color performance with the conventionally indigo- dyed cotton yarns. Ultraviolet resistance of the blend denim fabrics was evaluated, showing significant improvement in UPF of the weft-wise dyed silk. The study claimed that the dyed silk yarns a good candidate for newly developed blend denim fabrics.

Breathability performance of antiviral cloth masks treated with silver nanoparticles for protection against COVID-19.

The global widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused shortage of medical face masks and led to developing of various types of cloth masks with different levels of protection and comfort to meet the market demands. Breathing comfort is a significant aspect that should be considered during the design of cloth masks along with the filtration efficiency; otherwise, the wearer will feel suffocated. In this work, different types of cotton and polyester knitted fabrics blended with spandex yarns were produced and treated with silver nanoparticles to be used as antiviral cloth masks. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and EDX were used to characterize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Antiviral activity was assessed against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus as well. The influence of using different fabric materials, number of layers, and hybrid layers on their air permeability and breathability were investigated to evaluate the comfortability of the cloth masks. Physiological impacts of wearing the cloth masks were evaluated by measuring oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and heart rate of the wearers while doing various activities. The results indicated that AgNPs have low cytotoxicity and considerable efficiency in inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Adding spandex yarns with different count and ratios reduced the porosity and air permeability of the fabrics. Moreover, the combination of three hybrid layers' mask made of polyester fabric in the outer layer with 100% cotton fabric in the inner layer showed high comfortability associated with high air permeability and breathability. Also, wearing these masks while doing activities showed no significant effect on blood oxygen saturation and heart rate of the wearers.

Facile and environmental benign in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles for multifunctionalization of wool fibers.

In this manuscript, we report the simple method to multifunctional wool fiber surfaces. The multifunctional wool fibers were devised with brilliant coloration, antimicrobial activity, and UV-protection property. These multifunctional properties were progressed by in situ assemble of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into the wool fiber surface using green cleaner one-pot route. The proteins existing in the wool fibers acted being a redox active bio-template, facilitating the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0, with simultaneous binding of the produced Ag NPs both on the surface and within the center of the wool fibers. The entire results showed that the Ag NP in situ-incorporated wool fibers can be used as colorant wool fibers effectively, and these colored fibers also exhibit an improvement for multi-functionality properties.

Synthesis, characterization and adsorption properties of microcrystalline cellulose based nanogel for dyes and heavy metals removal.

Recently, naturally occurring biopolymers have attracted the attention as potential adsorbents for the removal of water contaminants. In this work, we present the development of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based nanogel grafted with acrylamide and acrylic acid in the presence of methylene bisacrylamide and potassium persulphate as a crosslinking agent and initiator, respectively. World-class facilities such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), surface analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and zeta sizer were used to characterize the synthesized MCC based nanogel. The prepared nanogel was applied to remove reactive red 195 (RR195) dye and Cd (II) from aqueous medium at different operational conditions. The adsorption experiments showed that the feed concentration of monomers has a significant effect on the removal of RR195 which peaked (93% removal) after 10min of contact time at pH2 and a dose of 1.5g/L. On contrary, the feed concentration has insignificant effect on the removal of Cd (II) which peaked (97% removal) after 30min of contact time at pH6 and a dose of 0.5g/L. The adsorption equilibrium data of RR195 and Cd (II) was best described by Freundlich and Langmuir, respectively. Conclusively, the prepared MCC based nanogels were proved as promising adsorbents for the removal of organic pollutants as well as heavy metals.