Successful Use Of Nanotechnology To Obtain Moisture Absorption And Quick Drying Wool Fabrics

　　 Nanotechnology The rise of textile industry has a far-reaching impact on the textile industry. In recent years, functional nanomaterials such as antibacterial, deodorant, UV and self cleaning have attracted wide attention. In addition to the novelty of functionality, it is also of great significance to develop "hygroscopic and quick drying" fabrics using nanotechnology to improve the wearing comfort of fabrics. In addition, nano functional fabrics are also faced with a big problem in practical application, that is, the new functions that nanotechnology gives to fabrics can not be maintained for a long time, for example, washing resistance is not enough. After washing, the special functions of washing machines commonly used in people's daily life will disappear in part or all. Developing effective methods to improve Nano fabric The washing resistance, with a view to achieving machine washability, still has great challenges.

In natural fibers, wool is an ideal clothing material because of its light, soft and warm quality. However, the scale structure on the surface of wool fibers makes the woollen fabrics naturally hydrophobic, impeding the ability of wool fabrics to absorb water vapor, resulting in low moisture absorption and sweat perspiration. It is very easy for people to feel hot and uncomfortable after a lot of sports. Research and development of "hygroscopic and quick drying" Wool fabric It has always been a hot research topic in the industry.

Professor Tang Fangqiong, a professor of nanomaterial control and Application Research Laboratory of the Institute of physical and chemical technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a team led by Professor Li Yi of the textile and clothing department of Hong Kong Polytech University jointly developed a unique nano finishing technology, and successfully developed "washable and quick drying" wool fabric with washability. The team built a nano thin layer of spherical silica on the surface of wool fibers, and constructed super hydrophilic wool fabrics. The mechanism of hydrophobicity of wool fibers modified by nanotechnology was also discussed (Langmuir, 2010, 26, 4675 – 4679).

On the basis of this study, the team applied the surface grafting and in-situ growth strategy to the surface of wool fibers in situ to grow silica nanocrystalline with a diameter of 20 nm. The fabric is tested according to the national standard and meets the requirements of the "moisture absorption and quick drying" functional fabric. In addition, after 20 times of machine wash, this characteristic can still be maintained well, and the problem of washability of nano functional fabrics is solved. Moreover, the in situ growth strategy greatly simplifies the preparation steps, and provides a new idea for the construction of nano functional fabrics.

The research results have been published in the Journal of Applied Chemistry, published in the Journal of chemistry and sustainability, energy and materials (Chemistry & Sustainability, Energy & Materials, referred to as ChemSusChem) in the Journal of German Chemistry Society (ChemSusChem 2010,31031 – 1035), and invent 1 domestic invention patents and have applied for International patents.

After the publication of the article, the United States nano technology and nanoscience net Nanowerk in the news focused column (Spotlight), with Nanotechnology improves wool fabrics as the title, carried on the tracking report to the physicochemical Institute and the new progress of Hong Kong Polytech University.