One-step preparation of woven fabric-reinforced hydrogel composite

Abstract

Cotton-woven fabric-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel composite was produced by constructing cotton as warp and polyvinyl alcohol/cotton hybrid and polyvinyl alcohol yarns as weft yarns in the fabric structure. As-prepared polyvinyl alcohol/cotton fabrics were treated with different concentrations of aqueous borax and glutaraldehyde crosslinking solutions. Polyvinyl alcohol molecules were transformed to crosslinked gel structure after the treatments. Since cotton yarns kept their yarn structure in the fabrics, woven fabric-reinforced hydrogel composites were obtained. Chemical analysis to investigate crosslinking was conducted by attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra analysis, and the results revealed that a proper crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol molecules in polyvinyl alcohol yarns occurred by using both borax and glutaraldehyde as crosslinkers. Thermal stabilities of the samples were observed via thermogravimetric analysis measurements. Even though borax crosslinking increased the thermal stability, glutaraldehyde crosslinking did not have a significant effect on the thermal stability of hydrogel composite. Crystalline microstructural analysis was carried out with X-ray diffraction measurement. Tensile properties of the samples by focusing on the crosslinker ratio and water contents in the hydrogel composites were performed. The results revealed that tensile properties of hydrogel composite tremendously increased with fabric reinforcement. Also, breaking force gradually increased when the hydrogel composite structure released the water from its structure at both borax and glutaraldehyde samples. Since the produced fabric-reinforced hydrogel composites have high strength, they are promising candidates as hygroscopic materials for planting and erosion control at inclined terrains.

Natural fibers woven fabric reinforced hydrogel composites for enhanced mechanical properties

“…Due to the formation of more stable hydrogels within and between the yarns, inter and intra friction of yarns were developed and enhanced the mechanical performance of PVA/C with boraxwater treatment. Since the composites were tested in wet form, elongation at the break is higher in this study comparing with our previous study at warp direction [25]. Additionally, breaking strength increase with increasing borax concentration in the treatment solution at wet samples in this study, but breaking point decreased at dried composites except initial increase of borax concentration in the previous study [25].…”

“…Since the composites were tested in wet form, elongation at the break is higher in this study comparing with our previous study at warp direction [25]. Additionally, breaking strength increase with increasing borax concentration in the treatment solution at wet samples in this study, but breaking point decreased at dried composites except initial increase of borax concentration in the previous study [25]. In another study, it was also confirmed that breaking strength gradually increased when the hydrogel composite released its water content [30].…”

“…After fabrics were woven, they were removed from the loom and made ready for the final step: gelation processing. The weave pattern used in our previous study was also preferred in the production of fabrics for this research [25].…”

“…Textile structures such as fabric hydrogel composite membranes which includes cotton fabric [22], glass fabric [23], nano and micro scale fibrous woven fabrics [24] have been combined with hydrogels. In our previous study, as-prepared PVA/cotton fabrics were treated with different concentrations of aqueous borax and glutaraldehyde crosslinking solutions to prepare cotton fabric reinforced hydrogel composite [25]. The results showed that tensile performance of hydrogel composite was dramatically enhanced with fabric reinforcement.…”

Drug‐Eluting Medical Textiles: From Fiber Production and Textile Fabrication to Drug Loading and Delivery

“…The woven fabrics were treated with different concentrations of aqueous crosslinkers, namely borax and glutaraldehyde solutions. [ 142 ] In another study, woven cotton and viscose‐micromodal fabrics were loaded with caffeine nanoparticles for transdermal antioxidant patches. Once worn next to skin, the system can deliver caffeine for several hours without any further action from the patient.…”