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Utility of silver-coated fabrics as electrodes in electrotherapy applications
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
... 7 Metal particles have been used as potential agents in a variety of healthcare fields including drug delivery, nanomedicine, and biotechnology applications. 8 The controlled amount of inorganic metallic nanoparticles presented as less toxic. 9 It is important to note that metals like Ag, Cu, and ZnO have broad antibacterial activity and are very often reported to show a harmful impact on mammals. ...
... The passage of proper air and vapor through developed bandages indicates the breathability and permeability (of body fluid like perspiration, sweat and moisture) of developed samples. 8 The developed fabrics can be effectively used to fabricate bioactive health care fabrics used in bandages, surgical gowns, patient protective clothing, bedding textiles, coveralls, wound dressings, pillow covers and chair covers, etc. ...
... It should be noted that the annulus of the inhibition zone widened as the nanoparticle concentration increased, indicating that an increased nanoparticle concentration had a similar effect on the antimicrobial properties as reported in an earlier study. 8 The particles of copper possess good antibacterial effects because the ionic activity associated with these copper ions (Cu 2+) is greater (it is also less stable in transition state) as compared to silver or zinc ions. Therefore, this greater ionic activity helps copper to disrupt the membranes of bacterial cell and affect cellular processes, which increases antibacterial activity. ...
Antipathogenic fabrics coated with different types of metallic nanoparticles were developed for the use in healthcare sector. The citrus plant waste was collected and processed to extract the bioactive molecules for the green synthesis of metal particles. Here, the citrus extract was used for a dual purpose, as a bio reductant and also as a bio dispersant (D-limonene). Subsequently, the green synthesis of a highly concentrated and stable colloidal dispersion of Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), Copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO-NPs) was carried out using the self-assembled respective salts and green extracted reducing agents without using any other hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, the effect of the loaded D-limonene as a dispersant was justified by PDI, Zeta potential, particle size analysis and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The synthesized particles were assessed for their morphology and geometric characteristics by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), revealing the formation of particles with spherical and oval shapes. The justification for the formation of particles was also analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. In the next step, the synthesized Ag-NPs, Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs were applied to cotton fabric and their antipathogenic properties (antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal) before and after severe washing were characterized. It was observed that the nanoparticles applied fabric at higher concentration (5g) exhibit even covering of fiber surface, average particles sizes between 350 and 470 nm, with excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (3.4 ± 0.35 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (5.5 ± 0.19 mm). The untreated fabric had a log CFU/ml value of 5.43, indicating no antibacterial effectiveness of the control sample. However, the log values of all the treated samples were significantly lower. Moreover, the intensity of concentration of zinc silver and copper particles explains the 88.48 %, 85.01 % and 94.23% antifungal activity respectively. While antiviral activity (84% reduction) was also highest against copper nanoparticles coated fabric. The level of significance against antipathogenic activities among all particles coated samples was analysed by applying the statistical analysis of simple linear regression with paired t test. In addition the comfort parameters (air and water vapor permeability) for developed medicated textiles were also analyzed.
... 42 The most commonly used surface electrodes for electrostimulation are self-adhesive, disposable Ag/ AgCl electrodes, which entail using an additional hydrogel or electrode cream to create an electrodeelectrolyte interface between the skin and the electrode to improve skin contact and ensure a continuous current flow. 42,43 However, Ag/AgCl electrodes have been found to cause skin irritation, shocking and skin burns in some patients, 44 resulting in overall discomfort related to pain and limited movement. 13 Prior to attaching the electrodes, the skin must be prepared by cleaning the attachment site and in some cases shaving the hair, 43 and the gel tends to leave residues on the skin, which necessitates cleaning the stimulation site afterwards. ...
... In the selected core articles, various kinds of textile electrodes for electrotherapeutical modalities were presented. Material research was performed by Ali et al., 44 Gniotek et al., 57 and Frydrysiak et al., 61 Oh et al., 64 Papaiordanidou et al. 53 and Stewart et al., 39 who investigated the suitability of various kinds of conductive fabrics to be used as textile stimulation electrodes based on the evaluation of electrical properties as well as stimulation performance aspects. Erdem et al. 34 and Euler et al. 65 manufactured single textile electrodes, based on different production methods, and evaluated the influence of electrode construction parameters with regard to long-term usage behavior or electrical performance. ...
... This class includes printing and coating methods. 41,44,52,53,57,61,62,64,66 At Level 3, the conductive elements are integrated into the textile using embroidery or machine stitching with conductive yarns. 20,34,40 Finally, Level 4, the highest integration level, refers to the conductive material being seamlessly integrated into a non-conductive textile body in a single process step, thereby creating a defined area/shape of local conductivity. ...
Electrical stimulation can be used for the treatment of various nerve and muscle injuries as well as acute and chronic pain conditions. An electrical pulse is applied to a muscle or nerve to activate excitable tissue using internal or external electrodes with the aim of building muscle strength, artificially creating or supporting limb movement or reducing pain. Textile electrodes offer several advantages over conventionally used disposable surface electrodes: they are flexible and re-usable and they do not require hydrogels, thereby avoiding skin irritation and allergic reactions and enhancing user comfort. This article presents a literature review that assesses the state of research on textile electrode constructions. Based on the review, production approaches and designs are compared, methods for evaluating stimulation discomfort and pain are proposed and issues related to user compliance are discussed. The article concludes with suggestions for future work focused on investigating the impacts of textile-based electrode parameters on comfort, convenience and ease of use.
... The antimicrobial activity of silver is normally due to some common reason, as (1) silver effects on structural protective proteins of bacteria, (2) disrupt the cell wall and disturb the osmotic balance, (3) a source of oxidative stress to generate the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and results in a type of Fenton reaction where precipitates of silver are formed. Eventually, this causes cell death [41][42][43]. The antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanocomposite is higher for S. aureus (ZOI = 4.6 mm) compared to E. coli (ZOI = 3.2 mm). ...
... The antimicrobial activity of silver is normally due to some common reason, as (1) silver effects on structural protective proteins of bacteria, (2) disrupt the cell wall and disturb the osmotic balance, (3) a source of oxidative stress to generate the hydrogen peroxide H 2 O 2 and results in a type of Fenton reaction where precipitates of silver are formed. Eventually, this causes cell death [41][42][43]. The antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanocomposite is higher for S. aureus (ZOI = 4.6 mm) compared to E. coli (ZOI = 3.2 mm). ...
... The antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanocomposite is higher for S. aureus (ZOI = 4.6 mm) compared to E. coli (ZOI = 3.2 mm). It is important to note that our results are compatible with the previously reported research [42,43]. ...
In the current research, we present a single-step, one-pot, room temperature green synthesis approach for the development of functional poly(tannic acid)-based silver nanocomposites. Silver nanocomposites were synthesized using only tannic acid (plant polyphenol) as a reducing and capping agent. At room temperature and under mildly alkaline conditions, tannic acid reduces the silver salt into nanoparticles. Tannic acid undergoes oxidation and self-polymerization before the encapsulating of the synthesized silver nanoparticle and forms silver nanocomposites with a thick capping layer of poly(tannic acid). No organic solvents, special instruments, or toxic chemicals were used during the synthesis process. The results for the silver nanocomposites prepared under optimum conditions confirmed the successful synthesis of nearly spherical and fine nanocomposites (10.61 ± 1.55 nm) with a thick capping layer of poly(tannic acid) (~3 nm). With these nanocomposites, iron could be detected without any special instrument or technique. It was also demonstrated that, in the presence of Fe3+ ions (visual detection limit ~20 μM), nanocomposites aggregated using the coordination chemistry and exhibited visible color change. Ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis also confirmed the formation of aggregate after the addition of the analyte in the detection system (colored nanocomposites). The unique analytic performance, simplicity, and ease of synthesis of the developed functional nanocomposites make them suitable for large-scale applications, especially in the fields of medical, sensing, and environmental monitoring. For the medical application, it is shown that synthesized nanocomposites can strongly inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the particles also exhibit very good antifungal and antiviral activity.
... Their lack of exibility and conformity to body contours often causes peeling and wrinkling during movement. 34,35 . This necessitates individual, manual positioning by trained personnel, complicating their application. ...
... Textile electrodes are fabricated using various textile production techniques such as embroidery 15,37 , printing 38-41 , coating 35,42 , knitting 34,43,44 , and weaving 45 . These methods range from adding conductive materials onto a textile substrate to integrating them into the textile structure at various levels of sophistication. ...
Objective
The efficacy and comfort of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) largely depend on the type of electrodes used. Traditional self-adhesive hydrogel electrodes, while effective, pose limitations in terms of wearability, skin compatibility, and reusability. This randomized crossover trial investigates the performance of textile electrodes integrated into garments for NMES of lower extremities, focusing on their potential rehabilitative applications for patients with neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods
In this randomized crossover design, ten healthy subjects participated in the study. Each subject performed isometric knee extension exercises using both textile and hydrogel electrodes in random order. We compared the electrodes in terms of comfort, temporal consistency, stimulation efficiency, and electrical impedance under isometric conditions.
Results
Our findings revealed no significant difference between the two types of electrodes across all evaluated parameters. Textile electrodes, used after applying moisturizing lotion to enhance the electrode-skin interface, demonstrated comparable levels of comfort, consistency, and efficiency to hydrogel electrodes.
Conclusion
The equivalence of textile and hydrogel electrodes, coupled with the advantages of washability and reusability, positions textile electrodes as a promising alternative for NMES applications, particularly in rehabilitation settings.
... Metals such as silver, gold, copper, nickel, and stainless steel are used to produce conductive textiles. Conductive fabric is produced by integrating the conductive fibers/yarns into a textile structure by weaving, knitting, etc. Silver is the most preferred material due to its high conductivity, low resistivity, and good stability (Stoppa and Chiolerio, 2014;Ali et al., 2018;Acar et al., 2019). ...
... Moreover, the proposed wearable electrotherapeutic systems offer several advantages over other conventional devices and electrodes; eliminate problems of conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes which cause skin irritation, the feeling of discomfort, unable to be washed and not being hygienic, disposable limited to only one treatment session, and cause contact allergies and reddening (Ali et al., 2018;Euler, Guo and Persson, 2022). Nevertheless, eliminates problems of tangled cables related to ES devices that can block movement and detach electrodes. ...
As alternatives to the conventional disposal electrodes made of silver/silver chloride material
(Ag /AgCl), textile electrodes are integrated into a garment using conventional production
techniques such as weaving, knitting, printing, etc. However, this study focuses on
embroidering conductive threads to develop textile electrodes for electrical stimulation,
forming a wearable preventive pressure ulcer system. Throughout the methodology, a
questionnaire was conducted to determine the effectiveness of using electrical stimulation for
pressure ulcer prevention, targeting healthcare providers. Functional, aesthetical, and
psychological considerations were applied through the design of a custom-made adaptive
short to induce electrical stimulation for gluteal muscles. Four positive and negative
electrodes were embroidered using a satin stitch on a 100% cotton knitted fabric, only the
bobbin was loaded with conductive threads, and cotton/polyester thread was used for the top
stitch. On the opposite side of the fabric, electrical traces were sewn with a lock stitch using
the sewing machine, these traces were connected to metal snaps to be connected to the
circuit. The lifetime of electrodes was characterized by washing and durability tests; as basic
everyday wear requirements. The outcomes showed slightly lower resistance values "after
washing and rubbing" indicating that the cable-free system is effective for mass production,
less time-consuming, fit for purpose with ensured contact of the electrodes placed on the skin,
and easy to use for both caregiver staff and self-dressing patients. Further study is required to
investigate embroidery parameters optimizing the developed electrodes of stitch type,
density, length of conductive thread, and tensile impact of different conductive threads.
Within the scope of healthcare, textiles treated with special finishes to provide antibacterial,
antimicrobial, and antibiotic for the proposed product should be interpreted for a great extent
of health impact regarding pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.
... [1][2][3][4][5][6] The possibility to use textile garments for electrostimulation has also been investigated. [7][8][9][10] The rationale for this endeavour is often to alleviate the load on the healthcare sector. The European Union anticipates that technological innovations such as e-textiles could aid in the so-called silver-economy by providing means for health monitoring. ...
... Using the measured magnitude and the expression in equation (10) in the curve fitting tool in Matlab, the fitted parameter values became as in Table 1. ...
The rise of interest in wearable sensing of bioelectrical signals conducted via smart textile systems over the past decades has resulted in many investigations on how to develop and evaluate such systems. All measurements of bioelectrical signals are done by way of electrodes. The most critical parameter for an electrode is the skin-electrode impedance. A common method for measuring skin-electrode impedance is the two-lead method, but it has limitations because it relies on assumptions of symmetries of the body impedance in different parts of the body as well as of the skin-electrode impedances. To address this, in this paper we present an easy-to-use and reliable three-lead in vivo method as a more accurate alternative. We aim to show that the in vivo three-lead method overcomes all such limitations. We aim at raising the awareness regarding the possibility to characterize textile electrodes using a correct, accurate and robust method rather than limited and sometimes inadequate and uninformative methods. The three-lead in vivo method eliminates the effect of body impedance as well as all other contact impedances during measurements. The method is direct and measures only the skin-electrode impedance. This method is suitable for characterization of skin-electrode interface of textile electrodes intended for both bioelectrical signals as well as for electrostimulation of the human body. We foresee that the utilization of the three-lead in vivo method has the potential to impact the further development of wearable sensing by enabling more accurate and reliable measurement of bioelectrical signals.
... In recent years, electrically conductive textiles have become a dynamic and fast growing sector due to their novel applications in flexible and wearable electronics, sensors and actuators, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and heat generators [1,2]. There are various approaches to render textiles with electrical conductivity such as fabrics made with naturally conductive yarns and those specially treated to impart conductivity [3]. The naturally conductive yarns can be spun directly from electrically conductive materials like metals, while special treatments like chemical coating, surface metallization [e.g. ...
... Among all methods, textile surface metallization has received great attention due to its uniqueness in providing multifunctional performance regarding electrical conductivity, EMI shielding and antibacterial properties [1,3].A variety of methods such as in situ deposition of metal particles, flame and arc spraying, sputter coating and vacuum deposition have been reported but with limitations of stiffness, oxidation of metals, high weight and poor washing, rubbing and air permeability properties [7][8][9]. Recently, electroless plating over solution-sensitized fabrics has emerged as a superior method of textile surface metallization due to better performance regarding volume conductivity, durability, coherent metal deposition and applicability to complex-shaped materials [10]. ...
In this work, surface metallization of cotton fabrics was performed by electroless plating using a shorter route than is conventional. The fabric surface was activated by deposition of silver and copper nanoparticles, and then a thin layer of copper was coated using electroless plating. The performance of coated fabrics was compared in terms of electrical conductivity, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, Joule heating and antibacterial properties with another sample coated with conventional electroless plating. The orthogonal array testing strategy was adopted to optimize the various factors of the electroless plating bath. The samples prepared by electroless plating of copper showed greater performance for the fabric first deposited with silver particles than those first deposited with copper particles or conventionally treated. Samples of copper electroplating over silver had surface resistivity of 20 Ω, EMI shielding of 75.53 dB and Joule heating of 83.1 °C. Moreover, samples with modified electroless plating showed better attachment of the metal layer and therefore longer durability.
... They have a higher surface area (area-to-volume ratio) and a greater volume capacity than bulk silver. Due to the distinct electrical, optical, and catalytic characteristics of AgNPs at the nanoscale, research and development has been directed toward uses in targeted drug delivery, imaging, diagnosis and detection [1] [2]. The impressive antibacterial properties of AgNPs have garnered significant attention from both researchers and industries. ...
We created antibacterial stretchable medicated textiles. Initially, we used a versatile one-pot green synthesis method to produce a concentrated and stable colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) by selfassembling tannic acid, avoiding any harmful chemicals. The silver particles were later deposited on the cotton fabrics. The surface morphologies were analyzed by SEM and the presence of metals was inspected by dynamic light scattering and XRD. In second step, the natural antibacterial dye from the pomegranate peel was prepared and the fabrics of silver coated cotton were treated by the exhaust dyeing method. We assessed the CILAB (L*, a*, b*, C, h, and K/S) and color fastness properties of the dyed fabric samples. Additionally, we evaluated the antipathogenic properties (antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal) of all coated fabrics.
... 4,5 Among the above-mentioned nanoparticles, the most significant NPs with broad spectrum antibacterial properties are silver nanoparticles. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Multiple technologies such as photochemical methods, chemical reduction, laser ablation, gamma irradiation, as well as different methods of biological synthesis, among others, have been used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. 12,13 The green synthesis method provides less toxic and more stable dispersions of nanoparticles without the utilization of harmful chemicals. ...
Currently the stretchable knitted fabrics are extensively used as compression bandages in clinics. In present study, we have fabricated antibacterial stretchable medicated textiles (bandages, compression bandages). The study was composed of three parts. At first, the versatile one-pot green synthesis approach was used to form a stable and concentrated solution of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) through the self-assembly of tannic acid (capping agent). Tannic acid (hygienic capping agent) serving as a green dispersant and reductant, also acts as a self-assembly agent and while remaining free of hazardous chemicals. Subsequently, the synthesized Ag-NPs were coated over the cotton textile substrate. The surface morphologies of the metallic nanoparticles coated textiles were evaluated by the use of different characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). In the second step, a natural antibacterial dye was extracted from pomegranate peel and exhaust dyeing process was employed over the Ag-NPs coated fabric. The color measurement parameters of the dyed substrate were evaluated using CILAB (L*, a*, b*, C, h, and K/S). The K/S values for dyed sample was relatively high (11.31) than for undyed fabric (7.47), indicating that dyeing has altered the light-toned silver coated fabric to a relatively dark-colored fabric. While, the levelness L* value of the dyed fabric was relatively low (37.15) than undyed fabric (55.35), indicating that the dyed sample has a darker shade (depth) compared to the undyed sample. Additionally, the antipathogenic performance, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects, were determined for all coated fabrics. The silver coated fabric with post dyeing process showed extraordinary antibacterial properties and killed 99.99% of bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus). After washing, durability of the coated fabric was validated by the measurement of antibacterial properties. Moreover, comfort parameters (air flow permeability 935 mm/s and water vapor transmission 83 mm/s permeability) for developed bandages were also analyzed. The prepared hygienic textile substrates are well-suited for use in sportwear, bioactive garments, surgical gowns, and compression bandages such as head bandages, wrist or knee bandages.
... Previously, textile based flexible electrodes were fabricated by incorporating the silver nanoparticles on cotton-lycra structure. 14 Because of the unique physical and chemical properties, silver nanoparticles have been used for several different applications such as in household and healthcare products, in consumer products, as antibacterial agents, coating of various medical devices, in cosmetics, in pharmaceutical and food industry, in diagnostics, optical sensors, drug delivery and as anticancer agents etc. These nanoparticles have also been used and applied in many textiles such as in wound dressings for the purpose of assessing their compatibility with skin and wound healing properties. ...
The present study aimed to develop wearable, electrically conductive hygienic electrodes and their use for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) application. The development of electrodes was done in two stages. Firstly, the dispersion of conductive activated carbon particles was done into flexible elastomer followed by its silver electroplating. The Orthogonal Array Testing (OATS) technique was used to optimize the silver-plating recipe. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the impact of activated carbon by increase in intensity of stretching bands. To improve electrode properties in response to various human body movements, resistivity changes due to stretching and repeated extension were tested on conductive elastomers. Increasing the extension degree allowed a very minute change in electrical resistivity. Therefore, the resistivity can be considered almost constant within the 0-60 % stretch range. While, a notable increase in electrical resistivity was observed after 70 % of stretch. However, the resistivity of elastomers remained stable even after repetitive extension (for over 100 cycles). Conversely, no significant change in resistivity was observed over time when subjected to a constant current. Furthermore, to minimize the effect of skin electrode resistivity during electrotherapy, the range of different pressure was applied over the surface of electrodes. Minimum value of resistivity about 1 Ω.mm was obtained at 6 N/cm² of applied pressure. Additionally, hygienic properties, such as antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal were examined using different pathogens to assess the impact of the deposited silver particles. In the end, the durability of electrodes against washing and rubbing was confirmed. The potential applications of prepared electrodes are in the field of electrostimulation and electrotherapy etc.
... Flexible materials are ideal candidates for wearable sensory devices to detect vital signs. Silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) with electrolyte hydrogel is the conventional electrode used in medical standard devices [1] but Ag/AgCl electrodes have some side effects such as skin irritation and skin burns [2]. Therefore, novel electrodes are required for vital signal measurements. ...
Merging electrophysiology signal monitoring technology with wearable devices offers interesting future health care options. This study presented carbon-based screen-printing inks produced by mixing a graphite composite with a polymer emulsion to bind with flexible fabric substrates and tested with 10,000 bending cycles. The prepared carbon-based ink performed well for electrical conduction and vital signal response. Adding calcium carbonate resulted in a microstructure of graphite that decreased the electrical sheet resistance and resistance to 11.61 Ω/◻ and 0.127 Ω. The signal-to-noise ratio of the electrocardiogram (ECG) was 31.02 dB with built-in front-end powering noise filtration. Noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) was achieved by bio-impedance measurement and showed outstanding systolic and diastolic pressure values with a correlation coefficient of 0.799, and exhibited a similar interval time to define the same precise heart rate. The ECG data from the prepared electrode were applied to the machine learning models. The Random Forest (RF) model exhibited the optimized prediction value, with an F1 score of 99.9%. Equipment made from carbon screen-printing inks showed potential for health care monitoring with no excessive pressure, dry processing, and repeatability as a flexible wearable bio-electronic device.
... Where the in-situ deposition of copper and silver particles was performed to achieve the electrical conductivity and antimicrobial effectiveness. The reason for low electrical performance and bioactive performance was due to the susceptibility of copper particles to oxidation and carbonization 41 . The group S6 contains the Ag-NPs coated fabric samples showing the zone of inhibition values against S. aureus, E. coli, whereas group S12 contains the Cu-NPs coated fabric samples showing the zone of inhibition values against S. aureus, E. coli. ...
According to an estimate, 30% to 40%, of global fruit are wasted, leading to post harvest losses and contributing to economic losses ranging from 100 billion worldwide. Among, all fruits the discarded portion of oranges is around 20%. A novel and value addition approach to utilize the orange peels is in nanoscience. In the present study, a synthesis approach was conducted to prepare the metallic nanoparticles (copper and silver); by utilizing food waste (Citrus plant peels) as bioactive reductants. In addition, the Citrus sinensis extracts showed the reducing activity against metallic salts copper chloride and silver nitrate to form Cu-NPs (copper nanoparticles) and Ag-NPs (Silver nanoparticles). The in vitro potential of both types of prepared nanoparticles was examined against plant pathogenic bacteria Erwinia carotovora (Pectobacterium carotovorum) and pathogens effect on human health Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Moreover, the in vivo antagonistic potential of both types of prepared nanoparticles was examined by their interaction with against plant (potato slices). Furthermore, additional antipathogenic (antiviral and antifungal) properties were also examined. The statistical analysis was done to explain the level of significance and antipathogenic effectiveness among synthesized Ag-NPs and Cu-NPs. The surface morphology, elemental description and size of particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and zeta sizer (in addition polydispersity index and zeta potential). The justification for the preparation of particles was done by UV–Vis Spectroscopy (excitation peaks at 339 nm for copper and 415 nm for silver) and crystalline nature was observed by X-ray diffraction. Hence, the prepared particles are quite effective against soft rot pathogens in plants and can also be used effectively in some other multifunctional applications such as bioactive sport wear, surgical gowns, bioactive bandages and wrist or knee compression bandages, etc.
... 25 Therefore, a significant increase in the concentration of polymers is typically needed to enhance the mechanical properties of hybrid aerogels. 26 The choice of flexible macromolecules with a controlled molecular weight for joining the organic polymers is the other limitation of state-of-the-art studies. The degree of macromolecule cross-linking on the surface of organic polymers is significantly reduced by the grafting difficulty of macromolecule cross-linking, which is driven by the limited reactive ends offered by macromolecules and the significant steric hindrances. ...
The inherent disadvantages of traditional nonflexible aerogels, such as high fragility and moisture sensitivity, severely restrict their applications. To address these issues, different techniques have been used to incorporate the flexibility in aerogel materials; hence, the term “flexible aerogels” was introduced. In the case of introducing flexibility, the organic part is induced with the inorganic part (flexible hybrid aerogels). Additionally, some more modern research is also available in the fabrication of hybrid flexible aerogels (based on organic–organic), the combination of two organic polymers. Moreover, a new type (single-component flexible aerogels) are quite a new category composed of only single materials; this category is very limited, charming to make the flexible aerogels pure from single polymers. The present review is composed of modern techniques and studies available to fabricate hybrid and single-component flexible aerogels. Their synthesis, factors affecting their parameters, and limitations associated with them are explained deeply. Moreover, a comparative analysis of drying methods and their effectiveness in the development of structures are described in detail. The further sections explain their properties and characterization methods. Eventually, their applications in a variety of multifunctional fields are covered. This article will support to introduce the roadmap pointing to a future direction in the production of the single-component flexible aerogel materials and their applications.
... Since the demarcation of smart textiles around the turn of the century and onwards there has been investigations into this subject with an increase in reported work during the last decade. 2,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] . In a recent review of textile electrodes for stimulation Euler et al. has mapped out much of the work done hitherto. ...
Electro-stimulation to alleviate spasticity, pain and to increase mobility has been used successfully for years. Usually, gelled electrodes are used for this. In a garment intended for repeated use such electrodes must be replaced. The Mollii-suit by the company Inerventions utilises dry conductive rubber electrodes. The electrodes work satisfactory, but the garment is cumbersome to fit on the body. In this paper we show that knitted dry electrodes can be used instead. The knitted electrodes present a lower friction against the skin and a garment is easily fitted to the body. The fabric is stretchable and provides a tight fit to the body ensuring electrical contact. We present three candidate textrodes and show how we choose the one with most favourable features for producing the garment. We validate the performance of the garment by measuring three electrical parameters: rise time (10–90%) of the applied voltage, net injected charge and the low frequency value of the skin–electrode impedance. It is concluded that the use of flat knitting intarsia technique can produce a garment with seamlessly integrated conductive leads and electrodes and that this garment delivers energy to the body as targeted and is beneficial from manufacturing and comfort perspectives.
... Now a days, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by undesired electromagnetic radiations contribute to another fourth type of pollution in public space. The electromagnetic radiations are reported to damage the operation as well as safety of electronic instruments, antenna systems and military electronic devices if left unattended [1][2][3][4]. Moreover, the long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiations have been reported hazardous to human health causing anxiety, headache, fatigue, weakness, sleep disorders, etc [5]. ...
The aim of present work was to develop absorption-reflection-reabsorption dominant electromagnetic interference shielding materials having the ability of ohmic heating by layering of activated carbon fabrics with metalized fabric. The metalized fabric individually showed relatively higher EMI shielding effectiveness around 27 dB, but poor prolonged heating performance due to burning. On the contrary, the activated carbon fabrics alone depicted relatively lower EMI shielding effectiveness around 23 dB, but robust ohmic heating properties without any burning. Nevertheless, when the activated carbon fabrics were layered with metalized fabrics, the EMI shielding, and joule heating performance of layered structure was found superior to individual fabrics due to enhanced absorption-reflection-reabsorption of the electromagnetic waves within the layered structure. The layered structure of activated carbon fabric and metalized fabric displayed excellent electrothermal characteristics reaching maximum surface temperature of around 71 °C at 5 V in 30 s besides excellent EMI shielding ability of around 32 dB.
... Numerous antimicrobial agents are applied, including quaternary ammonium compounds, triclosan, metal salts based on cobalt, copper, zinc and silver nanoparticles to prevent the deterioration of textile materials [6]. These synthetic chemicals are all hazardous and have a negative impact on the environment [7]. Due to this problem, synthetic antimicrobial agents are being replaced by natural antimicrobial agents that have strong antibacterial action. ...
Nanotechnology is an emerging technology in textile sector for the fabrication of functional textiles with different properties such as antibacterial, hydrophobicity, UV-protection, flame retardancy, anti-static and self-cleaning. In current COVID-19 crises, the development of antimicrobial textiles through the deposition of nanoparticles has emerged as a research subject of particular interest. Recently, the green-synthesis of nanoparticles from plant extracts has become an effective alternative to conventional physical and chemical synthesis methods due to being environmentally benign and nontoxic. In this review article, the significance of nanotechnology in antibacterial finishing of textiles, mechanism of antibacterial activity of nanoparticles, significance of green synthesis methods for nanoparticles have been discussed. The green-synthesis of different nanoparticles from the citrus plant extracts and their application on textiles for imparting antibacterial activity is reviewed in particular. The chemical composition of citrus plant extracts and their role as bioreductants in the synthesis of nanoparticles is also highlighted. Moreover, different qualitative and quantitative standard testing protocols employed for the antimicrobial characterization of plant extracts and textiles have been discussed. The major challenges and limitations associated with the plant-based biosynthesis of nanoparticles have also been highlighted.
... Research into "smart textiles" is currently a growing topic of scientific interest due to their diverse applications and environmentally friendly properties. Conductive fabrics, which are used in the smart textile area, have broad applications, such as sensors, 1−3 photovoltaic devices, 4,5 heating textiles, 6,7 devices for electrotherapy, 8,9 wireless communication, 10,11 wearable computers, 12 actuators, 13 and electrostatic discharge clothing. 14 Another application of smart textiles can be found in various wearable electrodes, 15 heat storage, 16,17 and thermoregulated clothing. ...
... When there is a variety of human body movements small electrical resistance changes were observed during the extension to 80% and as the results, it can be noticed that the electrical resistance will increase significantly after the 90% extension. Besides, as other findings of this paper, it can be noted that no significant changes in fabric properties such as air permeability, water vapor permeability, fabric porosity, and conductivity were observed [1].Three types of knitwear with a similar surface weight with different raw material composition were fabricated by Skrzetuska et al. Embroidery machine and film printing were used in stimulating electrode fabrication. ...
Electrostimulation is a way of treatment various nerve and muscle injuries as well as acute and chronic pain conditions. The electrotherapy which is increasingly used in physiotherapy, muscle is exposed to an electrical pulse in order to activate excitable tissue using external electrodes with the aim of building muscle strength, enhancement healing, improvement in patient’s mobility or reducing painTextile based electrodes are significantly noticed in the aspects of being flexible and re-usable and no needs of hydrogels, thereby avoiding skin irritation and allergic reactions and enhancing user comfort. This article presents a kind of textile based electrodes made of conductive yarns containing stainless steel/plyester blend fiber. The embroidery technique was used to prepare the textile based electrodes.Samples were examined on 10 people with pain in their bodies in a hospital without being moisturised. The purpose of this study is to asses the performance of 3 different textile based electrodes, considering the conductivity of the yarns which have been used to produce textile based electrodes, the usfulness of them for electrotherapy and comparing them with rubber electrodes commonly are used in clinics regularly.
... The phase purity of synthesised Ag nanoparticles can be obvious from the perfect indexing of all the diffraction peaks to the structure of silver, as shown in Figure 7a. As compared to the untreated fabric of cotton, four peaks appeared for silver particles at 2θ values of 77.5, 64.5, 44.3, and 38.1, thus attributed to diffraction planes (3 1 1), (2 2 0), (2 0 0), and (1 1 1), respectively, having a cubic structure as reported in the International Diffraction Centre Data (data number JCPDS 04-0783 card) [13,28]. Moreover, no distinctive peaks were seen for other impurities, such as AgO. ...
... The phase purity of synthesised Ag nanoparticles can be obvious from the perfect indexing of all the diffraction peaks to the structure of silver, as shown in Figure 7a. As compared to the untreated fabric of cotton, four peaks appeared for silver particles at 2θ values of 77.5, 64.5, 44.3, and 38.1, thus attributed to diffraction planes (3 1 1), (2 2 0), (2 0 0), and (1 1 1), respectively, having a cubic structure as reported in the International Diffraction Centre Data (data number JCPDS 04-0783 card) [13,28]. Moreover, no distinctive peaks were seen for other impurities, such as AgO. ...
Attacha, S.; Asim, N.; Tayyab, M.; Ali, A.; Militky, J.; Tomková, B. The Comparative Performance of Phytochemicals, Green Synthesised Silver Nanoparticles, and Green Synthesised Copper Nanoparticles-Loaded Textiles to Avoid Nosocomial Infections. Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 3629. https://
... The phase purity of synthesised Ag nanoparticles can be obvious from the perfect indexing of all the diffraction peaks to the structure of silver, as shown in Figure 7a. As compared to the untreated fabric of cotton, four peaks appeared for silver particles at 2θ values of 77.5, 64.5, 44.3, and 38.1, thus attributed to diffraction planes (3 1 1), (2 2 0), (2 0 0), and (1 1 1), respectively, having a cubic structure as reported in the International Diffraction Centre Data (data number JCPDS 04-0783 card) [13,28]. Moreover, no distinctive peaks were seen for other impurities, such as AgO. ...
In the current study, a sustainable approach was adopted for the green synthesis of silver
nanoparticles, green synthesis of copper nanoparticles, and the investigation of the phytochemical
and biological screening of bark, leaves, and fruits of Ehretia acuminata (belongs to the family Boraginaceae). Subsequently, the prepared nanoparticles and extracted phytochemicals were loaded on
cotton fibres. Surface morphology, size, and the presence of antimicrobial agents (phytochemicals
and particles) were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The functional groups and the presence of particles (copper and silver)
were found by FTIR and XRD analyses. The coated cotton fibres were further investigated for antibacterial (qualitative and quantitative), antiviral, and antifungal analysis. The study revealed that the
herb-encapsulated nanoparticles can be used in numerous applications in the field of medical textiles.
Furthermore, the utility of hygienic and pathogenic developed cotton bandages was analysed for the
comfort properties regarding air permeability and water vapour permeability. Finally, the durability
of the coating was confirmed by measuring the antibacterial properties after severe washing.
... Research into "smart textiles" is currently a growing topic of scientific interest due to their diverse applications and environmentally friendly properties. Conductive fabrics, which are used in the smart textile area, have broad applications, such as sensors, 1−3 photovoltaic devices, 4,5 heating textiles, 6,7 devices for electrotherapy, 8,9 wireless communication, 10,11 wearable computers, 12 actuators, 13 and electrostatic discharge clothing. 14 Another application of smart textiles can be found in various wearable electrodes, 15 heat storage, 16,17 and thermoregulated clothing. ...
This article reviews conductive fabrics made with the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), their fabrication techniques, and their applications. PEDOT:PSS has attracted interest in smart textile technology due to its relatively high electrical conductivity, water dispersibility, ease of manufacturing, environmental stability, and commercial availability. Several methods apply PEDOT:PSS to textiles. They include polymerization of the monomer, coating, dyeing, and printing methods. In addition, several studies have shown the conductivity of fabrics with the addition of PEDOT:PSS. The electrical properties of conductive textiles with a certain sheet resistance can be reduced by several orders of magnitude using PEDOT:PSS and polar solvents as secondary dopants. In addition, several studies have shown that the flexibility and durability of textiles coated with PEDOT:PSS can be improved by creating a composite with other polymers, such as polyurethane, which has high flexibility and extensibility. This improvement is due to the stronger bonding of PEDOT:PSS to the fabrics. Sensors, actuators, antennas, interconnectors, energy harvesting, and storage devices have been developed with PEDOT:PSS-based conductive fabrics.
... With the foreseeable prosperity and integration of medical electrical devices, textile equipment, and human health monitoring equipment, wearable devices have attracted considerable attention from investigators due to their promising applications in human motion detection, soft robotics, electronic skins, and sensors [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Knitted strain sensors with the attributes of being lightweight, having good flexibility, and with a wide strain range have been emerging, promising a myriad of applications in the development of wearable sensing devices [8][9][10][11][12][13]. So far, plenty of knitted strain sensors are coated with conductive materials, such as graphene [14][15][16], polypyrrole [17,18], PEDOT: PSS [19], and nano-silver [20,21], showcasing the advantages of good stability, high sensitivity, and fast response. ...
Benefitting from the multifunctional properties of knitted fabrics with elasticity, flexibility, and high resilience, knitted strain sensors based on structure and strain performance are widely utilized in sports health due to their adaptability to human movements. However, the fabrication process of common strain sensors mainly relies on experienced technicians to determine the best sensor size through repeated experiments, resulting in significant size errors and a long development cycle. Herein, knitted strain sensors based on plain knit were fabricated with nylon/spandex composite yarn and silver-plated nylon yarn using a flat knitting process. A size prediction model of knitted strain sensors was established by exploring the linear relationship between the conductive area size of samples and knitting parameters via SPSS regression analysis. Combined with stable structures and high performance of good sensitivity, stability, and durability, the knitted strain sensors based on size prediction models can be worn on human skin or garments to monitor different movements, such as pronunciation and joint bending. This research indicated that the reasonable size control of the knitted strain sensor could realize its precise positioning in intelligent garments, exhibiting promising potential in intelligent wearable electronics.
... Metal-coated textiles are seeing an increased demand in technical and high-tech applications due to their novel properties of electrical conductivity and EMI shielding ability. The most potential applications are anti-static, UV radiation screen, hydrophobicity, radar reflectivity, flexible electrodes, antibacterial, and certain therapeutic applications like the development of electrodes for TENs (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), ECG (Electrocardiography), and EMG (Electromyography) machines, etc. [1][2][3]. In general, the development of sustainable, conductive textiles is based on the selection of ecological and biodegradable resources. ...
... Metal-coated textiles are seeing an increased demand in technical and high-tech applications due to their novel properties of electrical conductivity and EMI shielding ability. The most potential applications are anti-static, UV radiation screen, hydrophobicity, radar reflectivity, flexible electrodes, antibacterial, and certain therapeutic applications like the development of electrodes for TENs (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), ECG (Electrocardiography), and EMG (Electromyography) machines, etc. [1][2][3]. In general, the development of sustainable, conductive textiles is based on the selection of ecological and biodegradable resources. ...
... Metal-coated textiles are seeing an increased demand in technical and high-tech applications due to their novel properties of electrical conductivity and EMI shielding ability. The most potential applications are anti-static, UV radiation screen, hydrophobicity, radar reflectivity, flexible electrodes, antibacterial, and certain therapeutic applications like the development of electrodes for TENs (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), ECG (Electrocardiography), and EMG (Electromyography) machines, etc. [1][2][3]. In general, the development of sustainable, conductive textiles is based on the selection of ecological and biodegradable resources. ...
In this study, we developed multifunctional and durable textile sensors. The fabrics were coated with metal in two steps. At first, pretreatment of fabric was performed, and then copper and silver particles were coated by the chemical reduction method. Hence, the absorbance/adherence of metal was confirmed by the deposition of particles on microfibers. The particles filled the micro spaces between the fibers and made the continuous network to facilitate the electrical conduction. Secondly, further electroplating of the metal was performed to make the compact layer on the particle- coated fabric. The fabrics were analyzed against electrical resistivity and electromagnetic shielding over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 1500 MHz. The presence of metal coating was confirmed from the surface microstructure of coated fabric samples examined by scanning electron microscopy, EDS, and XRD tests. For optimized plating parameters, the minimum surface resistivity of 67 Ω, EMI shielding of 66 dB and Ohmic heating of 118 °C at 10 V was observed. It was found that EMI SH was increased with an increase in the deposition rate of the metal. Furthermore, towards the end, the durability of conductive textiles was observed against severe washing. It was observed that even after severe washing there was an insignificant increase in electrical resistivity and good retention of the metal coating, as was also proven with SEM images.
... In some studies, a two-step methodology was adopted to produce the core-shell nanoparticles, but the processes are long routed, require the addition of Fe 3+ ions as crosslinkers [28,29], and they are often complex and require the use of toxic reagents, which may limit some practices applications. In the conventional approach, metallic nanoparticles are first synthesized through metal salt reduction [30][31][32] and capped with polymers. Subsequently, polymerization of monomers is carried out using high-energy UV radiations or the addition of crosslinkers to yield the polymer shell. ...
The versatile one-pot green synthesis of a highly concentrated and stable colloidal disper�sion of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was carried out using the self-assembled tannic acid without
using any other hazardous chemicals. Tannic acid (Plant-based polyphenol) was used as a reducing
and stabilizing agent for silver nitrate in a mild alkaline condition. The synthesized Ag NPs were
characterized for their concentration, capping, size distribution, and shape. The experimental results
confirmed the successful synthesis of nearly spherical and highly concentrated (2281 ppm) Ag NPs,
capped with poly-tannic acid (Ag NPs-PTA). The average particle size of Ag NPs-PTA was found to
be 9.90 ± 1.60 nm. The colloidal dispersion of synthesized nanoparticles was observed to be stable
for more than 15 months in the ambient environment (25 ◦C, 65% relative humidity). The synthesized
AgNPs-PTA showed an effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus (ZOI 3.0 mM)
and Escherichia coli (ZOI 3.5 mM). Ag NPs-PTA also exhibited enhanced catalytic properties. It
reduces 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 with a normalized rate constant
(Knor = K/m) of 615.04 mL·s
−1
·mg−1
. For comparison, bare Ag NPs show catalytic activity with a
normalized rate constant of 139.78 mL·s
−1
·mg−1
. Furthermore, AgNPs-PTA were stable for more
than 15 months under ambient conditions. The ultra-high catalytic and good antimicrobial properties
can be attributed to the fine size and good aqueous stability of Ag NPs-PTA. The unique core-shell
structure and ease of synthesis render the synthesized nanoparticles superior to others, with potential
for large-scale applications, especially in the field of catalysis and medical
... In some studies, a two-step methodology was adopted to produce the core-shell nanoparticles, but the processes are long routed, require the addition of Fe 3+ ions as crosslinkers [28,29], and they are often complex and require the use of toxic reagents, which may limit some practices applications. In the conventional approach, metallic nanoparticles are first synthesized through metal salt reduction [30][31][32] and capped with polymers. Subsequently, polymerization of monomers is carried out using high-energy UV radiations or the addition of crosslinkers to yield the polymer shell. ...
The versatile one-pot green synthesis of a highly concentrated and stable colloidal dispersion of AgNPs was carried out using the self-assembled tannic acid without using any other hazardous chemicals. Tannic acid (Plant-based polyphenol) was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent for silver nitrate in a mild alkaline condition. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized for their concentration, capping, size distribution, and shape. The experimental results confirmed the successful synthesis of nearly spherical and highly concentrated (2281 ppm) AgNPs, capped with poly-tannic acid (AgNPs-PTA). The average particle size of AgNPs-PTA was found 9.90 ± 1.60 nm. The colloidal dispersion of synthesized nanoparticles was observed stable for more than 15 months in the ambient environment (25 oC, 65 % relative humidity). The synthesized AgNPs-PTA showed an effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus Escherichia coli. Ag-PTA also exhibited enhanced catalytic properties. It reduces 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 with a normalized rate constant (Knor = K/m) of 615.04 mL·s-1·mg-1. Furthermore, AgNPs-PTA were stable for more than 15 months under ambient conditions. The unique core-shell structure and ease of synthesis render the synthesized nanoparticles superior to others, with potential for large-scale applications, especially in the field of catalysis and biomedical.
... A wide variety of sensors and actuators based on textiles are possible today, most of which are based on incorporation of electrical conductivity, which can be realized by various means, e.g., by conductive particles in inks or coating pastes, or by conductive fibers or yarns to construct fabrics and nonwovens [3,4]. Based on this technology, current research is investigating possibilities for manufacturing textile surface electrodes [5][6][7][8][9][10], also referred to as textrodes, to be used for instance in the healthcare sector, providing opportunities for home-based electrotherapy and selfadministered monitoring of body functions [11][12][13][14][15]. In signal monitoring, electrodes are utilized for measuring body functions such as heart and muscle activity or breathing rate, as well as bioimpedance or body temperature [16,17]. ...
Textile electrodes, also called textrodes, for biosignal monitoring as well as electrostimulation are central for the emerging research field of smart textiles. However, so far, only the general suitability of textrodes for those areas was investigated, while the influencing parameters on the contact impedance related to the electrode construction and external factors remain rather unknown. Therefore, in this work, six different knitted electrodes, applied both wet and dry, were compared regarding the influence of specific knitting construction parameters on the three-electrode contact impedance measured on a human forearm. Additionally, the influence of applying pressure was investigated in a two-electrode setup using a water-based agar dummy. Further, simulation of an equivalent circuit was used for quantitative evaluation. Indications were found that the preferred electrode construction to achieve the lowest contact impedance includes a square shaped electrode, knitted with a high yarn density and, in the case of dry electrodes, an uneven surface topography consisting of loops, while in wet condition a smooth surface is favorable. Wet electrodes are showing a greatly reduced contact impedance and are therefore to be preferred over dry ones; however, opportunities are seen for improving the electrode performance of dry electrodes by applying pressure to the system, thereby avoiding disadvantages of wet electrodes with fluid administration, drying-out of the electrolyte, and discomfort arising from a “wet feeling”.
... Stiffness is a tendency of the fabric to keep standing without support. It is a special property of the fabric for desirable draping and also influences the physical comfort of clothing [34][35][36]. It can be evaluated from bending properties of the fabric using bending length and flexural rigidity. ...
The presented work reported the growth of 3D-shaped TiO2 flower particles on the surface of polyester fabrics using two step approaches of sol–gel technology and hydrothermal method. The scanning electron microscopy, EDS analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to study the effect of titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) concentration on the growth of flower-like TiO2 microstructures. Later, a layer of trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane was applied on TiO2-coated polyester fabrics to fabricate the self-cleaning textiles. The physical self-cleaning properties were examined based on superhydrophobicity and contact angle measurements, where maximum static contact angle of 160.1o and minimum roll off angle of 3° was found for 2 mL TTIP concentration. The degradation of methyl orange dyes under UV light irradiation was observed to confirm the photocatalytic chemical self-cleaning behavior, where the samples coated with 2 mL TTIP decolorized the dye solution in 150 min, whereas the samples coated with 1 mL and 1.5 mL TTIP took almost 300 and 210 min, respectively.
... The combination of chemical and physical interactions of bacteria with silver particles resulted into the antibacterial property of coated fabrics. The action started with the incorporation of silver particles into the cell via endocytotic mechanisms, and then release of ionic species within the cells due to dissolution of particles[37]. Therefore, the antibacterial performance originated from the massive ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 12 oxidative stress due to high intracellular concentration gained within the cell. ...
The objective of present study was to make electrically conductive multifunctional fabrics and their further use as electrodes for the development of triboelectric generator (TrEG). The conductive fabrics were made by the coating of thin copper layer and then electroplating of silver layer. The surface structure, electrical conductivity, hydrophobicity, and antibacterial properties of coated fabrics were examined to know their multifunctional properties. After silver electroplating, the fabrics depicted the electrical resistivity of 2 Ω mm as compared to 70 Ω mm electrical resistivity reported for the copper coating alone. Later, the energy harvesting performance of conductive fabric electrodes was studied by combining with oppositely charged triboelectric materials such as silicon rubber and rabbit fur. The fabricated TrEG was found to produce 21 V and 3.5 μA current under the stretching action whereas 33 V and 6 μA current under the pressing action. Furthermore, it charged the 1 μF capacitor to 17 mV in 5 s. When its energy harvesting performance was investigated under the mechanical actions of human body, it generated about 10 V from elbow movements and about 40 V from foot movements.
... Stiffness is a tendency of the fabric to keep standing without support. It is a special property of the fabric for desirable draping and also influences the physical comfort of clothing (Ali et al., 2017;Ali, Nguyen et al., 2018;Ali, Baheti, Militky, & Khan, 2018). It can be evaluated from bending properties of the fabric using bending length and flexural rigidity. ...
The presented study proposed simple and low-cost approach for improvement in UV protection and superhydrophobic properties of cotton fabrics by coating of mechanically activated fly ash particles. The maximum UV blocking was observed for 3 wt% fly ash, where UV transmittance decreased from 14.19% of untreated fabric to 0.11% of coated fabric. After subsequent treatment of Trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane (OTMS) on fly ash coated fabrics, the water contact angle was increased to 143° 147° and 153° for fly ash concentration of 1, 2 and 3 wt% respectively. From Cassie-Baxter theories, the unwetted fraction of air pockets were estimated to be 43%, 55% and 67% respectively for 1, 2 and 3 wt% of fly ash particles. Furthermore, the coated fabrics showed great potentials for separation of floating oil layer, underwater oil droplet or oil/water mixture. The separation efficiency of 98%, 96%, 97% and 95% was obtained for selected model oils toluene, n-hexane, chloroform and petro ether, respectively.
... They are widely used for the development of sensors like piezoelectric and fiber optics because of costeffectiveness, durability and ease in measurements [6,7]. Conductive yarns and fabrics are also used for garments with functional sleeves (pager messages, dial phone numbers, and play music), fabrics incorporated with communication devices, communicating club wears (react against the beat of music) [8,9], multifunction fabrics for control temperature and light [10,11]. These fabric-based sensors are also used to monitor arm action in some important games like bowling golf or tennis swings, etc. [12]. ...
This paper proposed a simple way to prepare electrically conductive multifunctional fabrics made by imparting copper nanoparticles and followed with copper electroplating. The surface and ageing properties of copper nanoparticles coated fabric were investigated. Furthermore, the problems regarding ageing properties were solved in a very simple way and various functional properties were studied. The effect of electroplating parameters (concentration of acid) against the stretch rate of fabric was studied. The influence of operating parameters on copper nanoparticles coated fabrics were characterized by Zetasizer, scanning electron micrograph, X-ray diffraction analysis, differential scanning calorimeter. Increase in electrical properties with the rate of weight gain was analyzed. The utility of simple nanoparticles coated and copper electroplated conductive fabrics were analyzed for electromagnetic shielding ability over a frequency range of 30 MHz–1.5 GHz. Furthermore, the heating performances of the fabrics were studied through measuring the change in temperature at the surface of the fabric while applying a voltage difference across the fabric. Moreover, the role coated fabrics against anti-corrosion test was performed to check the durability of electroplating.
The efficacy and comfort of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) largely depend on the type of electrodes used. Traditional self-adhesive hydrogel electrodes, while effective, pose limitations in terms of wearability, skin compatibility, and reusability. This randomized crossover trial investigates the performance of a specific textile electrode integrated into garments for NMES of lower extremities, focusing on their potential rehabilitative applications for patients with neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injury (SCI). In this randomized crossover design, ten healthy subjects participated in the study. Each subject performed isometric knee extension exercises using both textile and hydrogel electrodes in random order. The electrodes were compared in terms of comfort, temporal consistency, stimulation efficiency, and electrical impedance under isometric conditions. Our findings revealed no significant difference between the two types of electrodes across all evaluated parameters. Textile electrodes, used after applying moisturizing lotion to enhance the electrode-skin interface, demonstrated comparable levels of comfort, consistency, and efficiency to hydrogel electrodes. The equivalence of textile and hydrogel electrodes, coupled with the advantages of washability and reusability, positions textile electrodes as a promising alternative for NMES applications, particularly in rehabilitation settings.
This paper explores the sensing performance displayed by warp-knitted strain sensors under biaxial stretching. These sensors were knitted using silver-plated nylon to be interlooped on a tricot warp-knitting machine. Eight types of warp-knitted sensing fabrics with different loop parameters were prepared and, afterward, electro-mechanical tests were conducted on a biaxial tensile testing machine. These specimens offered similar ground structures but differed in conductive yarn configuration in terms of linear density, number of underlapping wales, open/closed loop type, and guide-bar lapping sequence. Experimental results showed that the loop parameters significantly played a fundamental role in determining sensing performance. It is therefore possible to improve the sensing performance of warp-knitted sensors and engineer them by differing the loop parameters based on certain applications.
The textile materials produced with nanoparticles’ mediation give them diverse functional features including antibacterial activity, optical and structural features, tensile properties, self-cleaning, electrical conductivity and so on. Accordingly, conductive textiles may promise widespread applications in electronics, sensing, diagnostics, data transfer and so on. Herein, we compared the effectiveness of three different bio-based reductants of black tea extract, chitosan and starch for the in situ synthesis and impregnation of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) on the cellulose fabric to get effective conducting textiles. The results demonstrated that the z-average of the prepared silver-based particles was found in the nanometer range and they were well stable in the aqueous media. The surface chemical analysis exhibited that the SNPs were successfully impregnated on the finished cellulose fabric and affected its surface roughness and crystalline properties. The AC conductivity scan of the finished fabrics expressed that they become conductive of electricity, however, the highest effect was seen when black tea extract as a reductant during the application of SNPs in the fabric. The SNPs-treated samples expressed slightly decreased air permeability and tensile strength as compared to the untreated sample. After silver nano-finishing, the cellulosic samples turned from whitish to yellow to dark brown. They exhibited good broad-spectrum qualitative and quantitative antibacterial activities.
This paper investigated the development and characterization of conductive textured and non-textured polyester fabrics with various cross-sections. To impart conductivity on fabric structures, the electroless copper plating method was chosen. Electrical conductivity, thickness, electron scanning microscopy (SEM), microscopic morphology, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the deposition of copper nanoparticles on textured and non-textured polyester fabrics (EDX). SEM images revealed a thin film of uniform copper nanoparticle coating on textured and non-textured polyester fabrics. Electrical conductivity, wear resistance, thickness, and durability of conductive textured polyester fabrics were compared to non-textured conductive polyester fabrics. Electroless metallization has no effect on the crystalline surface of the textured and non-textured polyester fabric structures, according to structural studies. Electrical conductivity measurements show that both textured and non-textured polyester fabrics have good electrical conductivity values of 27 ohm/cm, 85 ohm/cm, 52 ohm/cm ,9 ohm/cm, 98 ohm/cm, 133 ohm/cm. When conductive textured and non-textured polyester fabrics were tested for durability against washing and rubbing fastness, the textured polyester fabrics retained copper nanoparticles well by maintaining their electrical conductivity level after 250 abrasion and washing cycles, with best electrical conductivity values of 177 ohm/cm and 29 ohm/cm, respectively.
In this work, Coca-Cola® bottles were reused as a PET polymer (rPET) source to produce electrospun polymeric nanofibers. The nanofibers were electrospun from polymer solutions with different concentrations of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) incorporated for applications in somatosensory electrical stimulation. The rPET/rGO nanofiber mats were characterized by SEM, TEM, Raman, DSC, TGA, and DMA and the results showed that the incorporation of rGO in electrospun rPET fibers produced rPET/rGO composites. The rPET/rGO composites were then evaluated for possible application as dry electrodes. Moreover, with a preliminary test of numerous volunteers, the rPET/rGO dry electrode showed promising results. The rPET/rGO electrodes showed good performance and applicability to make dry electrodes, and these have applications as dry or wearable electrodes to produce electrochemical sensors.
This paper presents the evaluation of some electrodes based on polymeric conductive membranes (polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)) for sensor applications. The electrodes were developed using textile support (weave structure-based 100% cotton yarns) and applying conductive membrane layers deposited on the textile surface. Coating the fabrics with thin layers of conductive membranes could generate new surfaces with the electrical resistance specific to conductive samples. Laboratory tests evaluated the physicomechanical and electrical properties. The surface resistance was investigated using a digital surface resistance meter by neglecting electrode polarization impedance. In addition, the correlation coefficients between the physicomechanical and electrical parameters obtained by the laboratory were analyzed. These conductive samples can be used to and develop flexible electrodes for moisture, temperature and strain sensors.
The stretchable conductive polymers were fabricated by adding conductive activated carbon fillers to the silicon elastomers and subsequently silver electroplating was performed. To solve the ecological and economical footprint issues the waste of Kevlar fibers were converted into activated carbon particles. The microstructure and porous activated carbon particles were prepared by chemical and physical activation process. The conductive elastomers were prepared into two steps. At first prepared carbon particles were mixed in polymeric silicon elastomer to make it conductive. Hence, the absorbance/adherence of carbon particles was confirmed into elastomer to develop the continuous network to facilitate the electrical conduction. Secondly, further electroplating of silver was performed to make the compact layer on carbon filled polymer. The surface morphology, element analysis and size of activated particles, carbon filled silicon elastomer and electroplated silicon elastomer was observed by SEM, EDX and Zeta size analysis. The FIR analysis was done to analyse the functional groups after the activation of Kevlar web before and after carbonization. Furthermore, the existence of carbon and silver was confirmed by XRD. The electrical resistivity and EMI shielding of elastomer samples was evaluated at different stages (after carbon filling, after silver plating, at stretching state and multiple stretching cycles). The minimum resistivity (12 Ω mm) and maximum EMI shielding (74dB) was recorded at 0% stretch. While resistivity was increased upto 156 Ω.mm at 60% stretch. Furthermore, the thermal stability of develop elastomeric sensors was checked through TGA and Ohmic heating process. At the end, the durability against moisture regain and mechanical action (tensile and hardness) was checked. The prepared elastomers can be used in number of applications including sensors (thermal, humidity control, insulation and electrical conduction). They can also be used as a flexible electrode adjusted with medical devices EMG, ECG and TENs machine.
An ultrasonication approach was adopted for Azadirachta indica driven bioconversion of silver salt into silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). These nanoparticles were coated over plasma functionalized cotton by using a pad dry cure technique. For pre‐coat surface functionalization, the cotton fabric was exposed to an open air single dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The emission spectrum revealed that DBD consisted of NO, O3, O, O2+ , O⁺, OH⁻, N2 and N2+ species. The plasma treatment produced negative radicals on the surface and improved the adhesion of fabric for nanoparticles. The crystallographic analysis revealed cubical structure of nanoparticles with average size of 25 nm. The fabric got fully covered with AgNPs after five pad‐dry cycles. Nanoparticles together with neem extract promoted the antimicrobial activity of the coated fabric. The inhibition zone of the silver coated fabric against E.Coli strains increased from 6 mm to 14 mm. The conductivity of fabric after 3, 5 and 7 cycles remained 2.56× 10⁻², 2.63× 10⁻² and 2.67× 10⁻² Siemens/cm, respectively. The coated fabric showed UV protection factor in the range of 210–269. The transmittance of UV−A radiations and UV−B radiations from the uncoated fabric was 19.27 % and 7.84 %, respectively, which reduced to 0.76 % and 0.24 % after 7 pad dry cycles.
Electrotherapy is a common therapeutic treatment used to provide pain relief. The device delivers a mild level of current via electrodes positioned on the skin to interfere with the pain signal and stimulate the release of the body’s own natural painkiller to reduce the pain. This paper presents the materials and fabrication methods used to manufacture a textile based wearable electronic textile (e-textile) with electrodes embedded for joint pain relief. The electrode is made by three functional layers including textile layer, conductive layer, and electrode layer. An electronic control has been developed to deliver interferential therapy. The e-sleeve has been designed and developed alongside patient and public input and tested on six volunteers with self-reported knee joint pain. Four out of six volunteers reported noticeable pain reduction on using the e-textile. The wearable e-textile demonstrated no adverse effects and pilot evidence suggests this has the potential to be a comfortable and easy to use solution for pain relief for people living with osteoarthritis knee joint pain.
In this research work, the effect of plasma treatment on cotton fabric prior to in-situ polymerization of polypyrrole is studied. Cotton woven fabric samples are, individually, pre-treated with argon and nitrogen plasma. Samples that were pre-treated with argon plasma and then subjected to in-situ polymerization of polypyrrole show higher conductance in comparison with the sample pre-treated with nitrogen plasma. This is attributed to the increased interfacial bonding of the pyrrole ring with the argon functional groups.
The presented research work proposed a simple technique to metalize the milife fabric (very fine thickness) with silver coating. The polyester fabrics were firstly sensitized with copper, and then silver plating was performed on the surface. The presence of silver over the fabric was observed by scanning electron microscope and respective EDX spectra. The change in the electrical conductivity, electromagnetic shielding and joule heating properties were examined for different electroplating time. The electrically conductive fabrics showed low electrical resistance with high EMI shielding over frequency range of 30 MHz to 1.5 GHz. To have an idea about the durability of electrical conductivity under stretch load, the 75 cycles of stretch and release were carried out. Furthermore, the heating performance of silver plated fabric was studied through measuring the change in temperature at the surface of the fabric while applying a voltage difference across the fabric. Lastly, the effect of ageing parameters like washing, oxidation and sulfidation were examined on the functional and comfort properties (i.e. thermal conductivity and stiffness) of conductive fabric.
The present work was aimed to develop the flame retardant textiles for prevention of second-degree burn injuries from low intensity heat flux accidents. The different concentration of casein suspension was applied on cotton fabrics and their thermo-oxidative properties, flame retardant behavior as well as physiological comfort were examined. From thermo gravimetric analysis, the percentage increase in char residue indicated improvement in thermo-oxidative properties. The maximum improvement in flame retardant behavior was found in case of 30 w/v% casein suspension due to higher production of thermally stable char. Their SEM micrographs also showed the formation of stronger and coherent char with presence of local intumescence. Furthermore, for estimating small differences in burn length and burn area, the flame propagation was studied in detail using the image analysis. The lower concentration of casein below 20 w/v% was found to provide adequate flame retardancy with acceptable physiological comfort and mechanical properties. Finally, the short term durability of casein treatment was verified under the effect of washing and ageing conditions.
Cotton is the most significant natural fibre and has been a preferred choice of the textile industry and consumers since the industrial revolution began. The share of man-made fibres, both regenerated and synthetic fibres, has grown considerably in recent times but cotton production has also been on the rise and accounts for about half of the fibres used for apparel and textile goods. To cotton’s advantage, the premium attached to the presence of cotton fibre and the general positive consumer perception is well established, however, compared to commodity man-made fibres and high performance fibres, cotton has limitations in terms of its mechanical properties but can help to overcome moisture management issues that arise with performance apparel during active wear.
This issue of Textile Progress aims to:
• Report on advances in cotton cultivation and processing as well as improvements to conventional cotton cultivation and ginning. The processing of cotton in the textile industry from fibre to finished fabric, cotton and its blends, and their applications in technical textiles are also covered.
• Explore the economic impact of cotton in different parts of the world including an overview of global cotton trade.
• Examine the environmental perception of cotton fibre and efforts in organic and genetically-modified (GM) cotton production. The topic of naturally-coloured cotton, post-consumer waste is covered and the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation and processing are discussed. Hazardous effects of cultivation, such as the extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and irrigation with fresh water, and consequences of the use of GM cotton and cotton fibres in general on the climate are summarised and the effects of cotton processing on workers are addressed. The potential hazards during cotton cultivation, processing and use are also included.
• Examine how the properties of cotton textiles can be enhanced, for example, by improving wrinkle recovery and reducing the flammability of cotton fibre.
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to develop textile-based transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes using conductive yarn to bring a solution to uncomfortable feelings and hygiene problems of conventional conductive hydrogel electrodes. It proposes washing process, resistance measurements and subjective tests to evaluate the performance of the developed textile-based electrode.
Design/methodology/approach
– In this study, six different textile electrode pairs were designed and produced with different patterns. Designed electrodes were washed for ten times. In order to evaluate the effect of pattern differences and washing process on electrode performances, two different tests were realized before and after washing. The first of these tests is resistance measurement with a multimeter, and the second one is subjective test carried out on subjects.
Findings
– The results obtained from resistance measurements indicated that the pattern differences cause resistance values of electrodes to change. It is reported that subjects had electrical stimulation from all electrode samples in conducted trials and it is noticed that washing process does not cause any stimulation problems.
Originality/value
– In this study, textile-based TENS electrodes having different patterns were produced by machine stitching technique and their long-term usage behaviors were examined with repeated washing processes and trials on the subjects.
Bending rigidity is a significant property of textiles that influences their further behavior, for example draping and wrinkling. The thorough analysis of draping and wrinkling behavior of textiles requires also knowledge of bending rigidity of the textiles in different directions, the so-called anisotropy of bending rigidity. Anisotropy of bending rigidity has been so far mostly measured on rectangular shaped samples; nevertheless, the circular shape seems to be the ideal one. This article presents device TH-7, which enables one to measure this non-standard circular shaped sample. Comparing the results of measuring of bending rigidity on the standard device KES-FB2 with the results of measuring on device TH-7, we can see a very good correspondence, that is, the value of the correlation coefficient equals 0.9. The described way of measuring the anisotropy of bending rigidity on circular samples will speed up and improve the quality of further research in the field of influence of the textile structure (weave, sett) on bending rigidity and, consequently, on draping and wrinkling of the textile.
A novel and facile one-step approach to in situ synthesize silver nanoparticle-filled nylon 6 nanofibers by electrospinning is reported. The method does not need post-treatments and can be carried out at ambient conditions without using additional chemicals. It employs the electrospinningsolvent as a reducing agent for in situ conversion of AgNO3 into silver nanoparticles during the solution preparation. The resultant silver nanoparticle-filled nylon 6 hybrid nanofibers show an excellent fibrous structure (fiber diameter at 50–150 nm), with narrow size 2–4 nm silver nanoparticles uniformly dispersed throughout the nylon 6 matrix. DSC analysis shows that the in situ incorporation of silver nanoparticles increased the Tg and crystallinity of the resultant nanofibers. These silver nanoparticle-filled nylon 6 nanofibers exhibit a steady and long-lasting silver ion release behavior, and robust antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive B. cereus and Gram-negative E. coli microorganisms.
In therapeutic and functional applications transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) is still the most frequently applied technique for muscle and nerve activation despite the huge efforts made to improve implantable technologies. Stimulation electrodes play the important role in interfacing the tissue with the stimulation unit. Between the electrode and the excitable tissue there are a number of obstacles in form of tissue resistivities and permittivities that can only be circumvented by magnetic fields but not by electric fields and currents. However, the generation of magnetic fields needed for the activation of excitable tissues in the human body requires large and bulky equipment. TES devices on the other hand can be built cheap, small and light weight. The weak part in TES is the electrode that cannot be brought close enough to the excitable tissue and has to fulfill a number of requirements to be able to act as efficient as possible. The present review article summarizes the most important factors that influence efficient TES, presents and discusses currently used electrode materials, designs and configurations, and points out findings that have been obtained through modeling, simulation and testing.
In present work, porous and electrically conductive activated carbon needle punched nonwoven web was produced by heating acrylic fibrous wastes under the layer of charcoal using novel single stage carbonization and physical activation. The influence of 800 °C, 1000 °C and 1200 °C carbonization temperature on physical and morphological properties of activated carbon web was studied from EDX, X-ray diffraction, SEM, X-ray tomography and BET analysis. Additionally, the electrical conductivity was also measured. At the end, the utility of prepared activated carbon web was investigated for electromagnetic shielding ability in high frequency (i.e. at 2.45 GHz) and low frequency regions (i.e. below 1.5 GHz) using waveguide method and coaxial transmission line method, respectively. The activated carbon web produced at 1200 °C showed maximum shielding effectiveness in both high and low frequency regions. For single layers of 1200 °C web, the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of 63.26 dB, 66.75 dB, and 75.44 dB was found for respective frequencies of 600 MHz, 1 GHz, and 1.5 GHz. This behavior was attributed to the increased multiple internal reflections and stronger absorption of electromagnetic radiations in 1200 °C activated carbon web.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in low cost skim natural rubber latex by adding silver nitrate as a source of silver ions. Left-over ammonia in latex was believed to form a complex with silver ions before reacting with the reducing agents which were glucose and other organic compounds in latex. Moreover, protein in latex could also control the growth of the particles by acting as a stabilizing agent. Many factors, which include ammonia content, d-glucose content and BSA protein content, were studied to clarify their effects in the synthesis. The emergence of AgNPs was checked with UV–visible spectrometer and electrical conductivity meter. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was applied to study the particle morphology. The results showed that UV absorbance (ABS) and conductivity of the reacting suspension increased when ammonia content and d-glucose content increased, implying an increasing number or growth of particles. In contrast, ABS and conductivity decreased with increasing BSA content, showing that smaller particles were formed. The TEM images confirmed that the size of AgNPs in the none-added sample was 6–26 nm. The synthesized AgNPs could inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an analgesic technique used in clinics worldwide. However, its potential value for pain control in labour is often overlooked. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' views after experience with TENS in labour. A questionnaire (12 multiple choice questions) was distributed to 17896 parturients in the UK who had used TENS to manage labour pain. The questionnaire was completed and returned by post within the 2 weeks following delivery by 10 077 women. The survey was analysed using descriptive statistics and It was found that 71% of the 10 077 respondents reported ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ relief of labour pain by TENS and 91% would use TENS again in the future. However, 86% of parturients who completed the questionnaire reported receiving additional analgesics during labour and it is therefore impossible to determine whether analgesic effects were directly due to TENS alone. Of the 14% of respondents who completed labour without additional analgesia 1187 (83%) reported ‘excellent’ or ‘good‘ pain relief. Although one must be cautious in the interpretation of the results of a postal survey, the favourable reports of satisfaction while using TENS supports a possible role for TENS as an adjuvant in the management of labour pain.
In this study, five different flexibilizers were added into a matrix resin to improve the flexibility of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs). The flexible ECAs were fabricated from the matrix resin and electrically conductive fillers. Their curing was fixed at 150 °C for 30 min. Of the five flexibilizers, 1,3-propanediol bis(4-aminobenzoate) (PBA) had the best effect on the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of the ECAs. During curing, PBA reacted with the functional epoxy in the matrix resin. The soft ether segments in PBA were grafted into the crosslinked epoxy network to form an orderly spaced mesh structure. This led to high-temperature stability, with the pyrolysis temperature being above 350 °C. Flexible ECAs with a 10% weight ratio of PBA in the matrix resin had the best properties. Their viscosity and bulk resistivity were the lowest. Their flexibility and electrical conductivity were the highest. They also had low storage modulus which could effectively dissipate or reduce the residual shear stress generated by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between chip and substrate. Their impact strength was the lowest, and the toughening effect was so significant that the improvement was about 48% compared to ECAs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Silver nanoparticles are often applied to textiles for their strong antimicrobial activity and potential uses in various applications. The treatment of fabrics with silver nanoparticles has often involved complex or expensive processes, required surface post treatment, lacked durability and altered desirable properties related to the comfort of the fabric. In this paper, a systematic study has been performed to identify a simple yet durable and economical approach to apply silver nanoparticles on cotton fabrics with minimum alterations to the fabrics’ physical properties. An ex situ chemical and in situ photo reduction approaches of silver-nanoparticle treatment on cotton fabrics were investigated, comparing the morphology, antimicrobial, durability of the treatment after wash and physical properties. Results indicate that the in situ approach was favorable toward aforementioned requirements and could retain its properties close to the original fabric. Methodology presented here to study effects of ex situ and in situ treatments of silver nanoparticles on textiles could be of interest to other applications.
The photoöxidation of N-alkyl amides has been studied using N-pentylhexanamide as a representative of this class. The major products formed were n-valeraldehyde and valeric acid from the amine part of the molecule and hexanoic acid and hexanamide from the acid part of the molecule. Formation of these products indicates that photoöxidation involves oxygen attack on the methylene group adjacent to nitrogen. This conclusion has been substantiated by examination of amides substituted with alkyl groups at various positions.
Electroconductive fabrics were prepared to improve the properties of conductive electrode pad material used for electrotherapy when it is subjected to various movements of the human body. Highly stretchable and conductive fabrics were prepared by in situ electrochemical polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy) on nylon/spandex stretchable fabric in aqueous solutions with 0.05M pyrrole and 0.05M anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid, sodium salt monohydrate (AQSA) at room temperature for 2 h. Electroless Cu plating was also applied after chemical polymerization of PPy to improve the conductivity of the fabric pad. Performance of prepared stretchable conductive fabric pad was evaluated in terms of conductivity changes as a function of extension and continuous current application time, and clinical test. As a result, the fabric conductivity was well maintained with extension up to 60% and prolonged treatment time over 30 min. The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was observed with prepared TENS pad in this study and conventional TENS pad for medical use. The significant effect of TENS was observed with a pad made of conductive fabric by Cu plating and a conventional TENS pad (P < 0.05, respectively). Even though the efficiency of an experimental pad made of fabric composite with electrochemically polymerized PPy was not as good as conventional TENS pad for medical use in this experiment, it can possibly be used for other applications where relatively low-strength electrical pulse is required. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 4064–4071, 2004
Changes in conductivity with repeated fabric extension were investigated to improve the properties of conductive electrode pad material used for electrotherapy when it is subjected to various movement of human body. Highly stretchable and conductive fabrics were prepared by in situ chemical polymerization of polypyrrole on nylon–spandex stretch fabric in aqueous solutions with 0.5 M pyrrole, 1.165 M FeCl3, and 0.165 M benzenesulfonic acid at 5°C for 1 h. Performance of prepared stretchable conductive fabric was evaluated in terms of conductivity changes as a function of tensile strain, repeated extension, and current application time. As the degree of extension increased, the conductivity increased and leveled off when the fabric was subjected to 60% extension. The number of fiber contacts in nylon–spandex fabric with electrode increased as the applied extension increased. However, the conductivity of the composite decreased under excessive extension over 60% since the intrinsic elasticity of fabric became gradually reduced. Generally, the fabric conductivity decreased as the number of extension cycles increased. However, the fabric conductivity was well maintained after repeated extension over 30 cycles at 40% extension. In addition, it was found that the effect of charging during the electrotherapy treatment on a current flow through prepared electrode pad was negligible. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1225–1229, 2003
A typical superhydrophobic (ultrahydrophobic) surface can repel water droplets from wetting itself, and the contact angle of a water droplet resting on a superhydrophobic surface is greater than 150°, which means extremely low wettability is achievable on superhydrophobic surfaces. Many superhydrophobic surfaces (both manmade and natural) normally exhibit micro- or nanosized roughness as well as hierarchical structure, which somehow can influence the surface's water repellence. As the research into superhydrophobic surfaces goes deeper and wider, it is becoming more important to both academic fields and industrial applications. In this work, the most recent progress in preparing manmade superhydrophobic surfaces through a variety of methodologies, particularly within the past several years, and the fundamental theories of wetting phenomena related to superhydrophobic surfaces are reviewed. We also discuss the perspective of natural superhydrophobic surfaces utilized as mimicking models. The discussion focuses on how the superhydrophobic property is promoted on solid surfaces and emphasizes the effect of surface roughness and structure in particular. This review aims to enable researchers to perceive the inner principles of wetting phenomena and employ suitable methods for creation and modification of superhydrophobic surfaces.
Metal nanoparticles have distinctly different chemical and physical properties than currently investigated oxides. Since pure metallic nanoparticles are igniting at air, carbon stabilized copper nanoparticles were used as representative material for this class. Using copper as a representative example, we compare the cytotoxicity of copper metal nanoparticles stabilized by a carbon layer to copper oxide nanoparticles using two different cell lines. Keeping the copper exposure dose constant, the two forms of copper showed a distinctly different response. Whilst copper oxide had already been reported to be highly cytotoxic, carbon-coated copper nanoparticles were much less cytotoxic and more tolerated. Measuring the two material's intra- and extracellular solubility in model buffers explained this difference on the basis of altered copper release when supplying copper metal or the corresponding oxide particles to the cells. Control experiments using pure carbon nanoparticles were used to exclude significant surface effects. Reference experiments with ionic copper solutions confirmed a similar response of cultures if exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles or ionic copper. These observations are in line with a Trojan horse-type mechanism and illustrate the dominating influence of physico-chemical parameters on the cytotoxicity of a given metal.
(c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
The efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in producing analgesia in cold-induced pain was assessed using a range of 5 stimulating frequencies (10 Hz, 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 80 Hz and 160 Hz) in 83 normal healthy subjects. TENS significantly elevated ice pain threshold when compared with sham and control groups. TENS frequencies between 20 and 80 Hz produced greatest analgesia, while frequencies below and above this level (10 Hz and 160 Hz), although significantly elevating ice pain threshold, produced effects of a lesser magnitude. The frequency of pulse delivery was the governing factor as no significant differences in stimulus intensity were observed across the treatment groups. Measurement of ice pain tolerance was found to be unreliable under the present conditions. No significant relationships were observed between personality variables as measured by Eysenck Personality Questionnaires and the degree of TENS response.
We evaluated the clinical efficacy and the unwanted side effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in a consecutive group of patients with intractable pain due to different pain syndromes.
Two hundred eleven patients with different pain syndromes, coded according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), were treated with TENS, using a standardized protocol. After a 6-month treatment period, an independent investigator estimated the effect of TENS in retrospect through assessment of patient files, standardized questionnaires, and diaries. In addition, a physical examination to determine the IASP code was performed, and unwanted side effects were evaluated.
TENS showed a favorable response in the majority of patients with pain caused by peripheral nerve damage (53%), anginal pain resulting from ischemic heart disease (75%), and pain of the musculoskeletal system due to mechanical degenerative causes (69%). TENS employed in patients with prominent psychological and social distress, and for pain caused by central and autonomic dysfunction, alleviated pain in only 10-25% of the patients. Side effects occurred in 35% during the initial period of the treatment and were usually able to be resolved, especially with thorough supporting instructions during the initial treatment period.
In this study, the beneficial effect of TENS appeared to be related to the etiology of the underlying pain. The effect of TENS was maintained for > 6 months in the majority of patients with an immediate favorable response. Supporting instructions are crucial for long-term success.
Pharmacological relief of neuropathic pain is often insufficient. Electrical neurostimulation is efficacious in chronic neuropathic pain and other neurological diseases. European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) launched a Task Force to evaluate the evidence for these techniques and to produce relevant recommendations. We searched the literature from 1968 to 2006, looking for neurostimulation in neuropathic pain conditions, and classified the trials according to the EFNS scheme of evidence for therapeutic interventions. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is efficacious in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I (level B recommendation). High-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be better than placebo (level C) although worse than electro-acupuncture (level B). One kind of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has transient efficacy in central and peripheral neuropathic pains (level B). Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is efficacious in central post-stroke and facial pain (level C). Deep brain stimulation (DBS) should only be performed in experienced centres. Evidence for implanted peripheral stimulations is inadequate. TENS and r-TMS are non-invasive and suitable as preliminary or add-on therapies. Further controlled trials are warranted for SCS in conditions other than failed back surgery syndrome and CRPS and for MCS and DBS in general. These chronically implanted techniques provide satisfactory pain relief in many patients, including those resistant to medication or other means.
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