When PNIPAM nanocomposite incorporated to DBD treated fabric, the moisture regain was slightly increased or stayed at similar value as compared with corresponding control samples except for higher values of RH, where noticeable increase was observed.
In general, when dry fabric with incorporated PNIPAM nanocomposite is subjected to an environment containing moisture, both the fiber and the polymeric system absorb the moisture at rate that depends on a number of physical factors initially the moisture uptake, the competition between the fiber and the polymer nanocomposite is the most important factor. Hence the polymer nanocomposite plays preferential role where the integration with moisture occur. This is also due to low crystallinity of polymer nano composite than the fabric. (Jocic, D. et al., 2009)
Conclusions
The preparation of nanocomposites in industrial scale is still difficult to achieve. There are many methods for their preparation, but a universal easy and efficient process allowing a perfect distribution of the inorganic particles in a polymer matrix is a challenge. This is mainly due to the difficulties in fulfilling all necessary requirements such as good compatibility and high degree of entanglement between polymer matrix and polymer chains attached to the surface of the inorganic particles. In this work we demonstrated that an excellent surface modification can be achieved by adsorption of copolymers as stabilizers on ZnO surface:
FT-IR studies confirmed that the polymer molecules chain was anchored on the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles.
FT-IR measurements showed that the adsorption of polymers on nanoparticles surface derived from the formation of hydrogen bond from the hydrophobic effects of substituents on nitrogen atom. These hydrophobic groups could hinder water molecules replacing the adsorbed polymer molecules and markedly improved the dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles in polymer. The improved interfacial interaction between the particles and polymer enhanced the thermal properties.
The present study shows that inter phase chemical links between the ZnO and the polymer chain prevent the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles making their distribution more homogeneous in polymer as evidenced by SEM analysis.
It was also found that the mean particle size of the dispersion was increased with increasing ZnO content. The results were consistent with SEM observations. The value of zeta potential results how the PNIPAM can absorb on to the ZnO nano particles and impart — ve charge to the surface of the nano particles.
Incorporation of PNIPAM nanocomposite to the fabric was achieved by the batch method. Swelling behavior and moisture sorption analysis showed the fabric incorporation with PNIPAM nanocomposites present interesting pH and humidity responsiveness. These results prove that the concept of functional finishing of fabric by PNIPAM nanocomposites could lead to the development of a novel material with highly attractive features of responsiveness to the environmental stimuli.
With this new procedure, we have created a tool to obtain a broad range of new inorganic organic hybrid materials in a very easy way for textile applications.
Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to Department of Science and Technology (DST), India and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal for the financial support to this study.
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