TiO2, SiO2 and their hybrid nanocoatings are prepared on inherent flame retardant textile substrates from titanium(IV)iso-proproxide (TTIP) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) precursors using a sol–gel process followed by hydrothermal treatment. The coated samples are further functionalized by hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) to impart superhydrophobicity. Sample characterization of the nanosols, nanoparticles and coated samples are investigated using, X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, contact angle measurement. Stain degradation test under mild UV irradiation shows almost 54% degradation of coffee stain within 4 hours measured by Spectrophotometer. UV-Vis Absorption Spectroscopy demonstrates complete degradation of methyl orange colorant within 3 hours. Hybrid nanosol coated and HDTMS modified inherent flame retardant polyester surfaces show apparent water contact angle as ~145°, which is much closer to proximity of superhydrophobic surfaces. Thus, the novelty of present work is, by using sol–gel technique, a bi-functional textile surface has been developed which qualifies the very specific requirements of protective clothing like self-cleaning property (imparted by TiO2 nanoparticles) and superhydrophobicity (imparted by SiO2 nanoparticles and further surface modification by HDTMS), which are entirely contradictory in nature, in a single fabric itself. Thus developed textile surfaces also possess the other attributes of protective clothing like flame retardancy and air permeability.

Herein, we report that s-f-n-Si based STFs demonstrates high energy absorption capability and high shear thickening performance as compared to the n-Si based STFs.

Polymer nano composites, consisting of a polymer matrix with nanoparticle filler, have been predicted to be one of the most beneficial applications of nanotechnology. Addition of nano particulates to a polymer matrix enhances its performance by capitalizing on the nature and properties of the nano-scale fillers. The damping behavior of composites with nano structured phases is significantly different from that of micro structured materials. Viscoelastic homopolymer exhibit a high material damping response over a relatively narrow range of temperature and frequencies. In many practical situations, a polymeric structure is required to possess better strength and stiffness properties together with a reasonable damping behavior. Viscoelastic polymers show higher loss factor beyond the glassy region which comes with a significant drop in the specific modulus. Addition of nano alumina particles to epoxy leads to improved strength and stiffness properties with an increase in glass transition temperature while retaining its damping capability. Experimental investigations are carried out on composite beam specimen fabricated with different compositions of alumina nano particles in epoxy to evaluate loss factor, tan d. Impact damping method is used for time response analysis. A single point Laser is used to record the transverse displacement of a point on the composite beam specimen. The experimental results are compared with theoretical estimation of loss factor using Voigt estimation. The effect of inter phase is included in theoretical estimation of loss factor. The result reveals that the study of interface properties is very important in deriving the overall loss factor of the composite since interface occupies a significant volume fraction in the composite.

To develop durable flame, water and oil repellent fabrics, a study was undertaken using fluorochemicals as water and oil repellent agents on inherently flame-retardant fibers. The treated samples were leached for 30 and 60 min to evaluate durability of the chemical treatment. The fluorochemical treatments produced durable fabrics that were simultaneously flame retardant and water and oil repellent. The effect of fluorochemicals on the thermal chemistry of inherently flame-retardant fibers was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The studies showed that the fluorochemical treatment does not affect the thermal chemistry of the flame-retardant fibers.