Graphene has many interesting applications in the textile industry. Some examples include electrically heating textiles, ultra-lightweight camouflage and wearable strain or pressure sensors for digital health monitoring.
The conductive properties of the fabric were improved through pre-alkalised surface modification, followed by layer-by-layer immobilisation with a hyperbranched polyamidoamine dendrimer and reduction treatment to form reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets.
Conductivity
Graphene knitted fabric is a textile that can provide electrical conductivity. It can be used to produce conductive clothing, which could help reduce the time it takes to warm up for a workout or increase muscle performance. In addition, the material can be used to make sportswear that is both comfortable and breathable. It can even be used to help prevent injuries by directing body heat to the cold areas of the body.
Several methods have been developed to prepare electrically conductive textiles, including melt-spinning of conductive nanofibres and electrochemical doping of graphene on textile mediums. However, these methods require high temperature and chemical conditions that may deform or decompose the textile fibres.
In this study, polyester textiles were immersed in a GO dispersion and coated with a layer of graphene oxide. After that, the fabrics were doped with iron zerovalent nanoparticles. The resulting fabrics are conductive and have a far-infrared, antistatic and anti-ultraviolet finish.
Insulation
Graphene has excellent insulation properties, which can be utilized in many ways. In addition to its conductive properties, it also has antistatic and UV-resistant qualities. It can be combined with natural fibres to create a seamless knitted product that will add both style and function. Graphene-enhanced textiles are already being used to make clothing and other products. They are also being applied to industrial textiles, such as woven pressure-sensitive and breathable fabrics for digital healthcare.
Several methods have been proposed to graft graphene onto textiles, including thermal annealing and chemical reduction. However, these methods require a high temperature and can decompose the textile material. A more effective method is to disperse GO flakes and then dip the fabric with the solution. This allows the GO to bond to the textile without decomposing.
The surface of the cotton-based GWF was modified with chitosan and hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HDPC), which enhances the uptake of GO Nano-sheets. The results showed that the HDPC-treated sample had the highest uptake of GO, with an electrical resistivity of 128 O*cm after thirty dipping and drying cycles.
Softness
Graphene is being used by textile companies to create soft and comfortable garments. The material can help regulate body temperature and even redirect heat from warmer areas to colder ones. It also has the ability to protect against bacterial and static damage. Several manufacturers are using this technology to make sportswear that can increase muscle performance and prevent injuries.
A conductive cellulose-graphene nonwoven fabric was successfully fabricated using a simple dip coating method, and its electrical, electrothermal, and electromechanical properties were evaluated. Its tensile strength and elongation percentage increased significantly with the reduction of GO to rGO, which is in agreement with previous reports.
The rGO-coated cotton textile showed a low absorption of water droplets and excellent washing fastness after 10-12 dyeing cycles. This indicates that the rGO-coating method can be applied to a wide range of textiles, such as knitted or woven fabrics for e-textiles. This approach is cost-effective and can be applied to any cellulose-based fibre.
Durability
Graphene is a lightweight and strong material, 200 times stronger than steel and non-toxic, making it a promising ingredient for conductive smart textiles. Its versatility means more and more sportswear brands are collaborating with graphene suppliers to incorporate it into their products. This new generation of fabrics is chosen by athletes for its thermal, conductivity and flexibility properties, boosting their performance and comfort.
To integrate graphene into fibres, it is important to find a method that can achieve strong bonding between the two materials. Preparing a dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) and dip-coating the fibres with it seems to be the most reasonable and scalable solution. Alternatively, instant thermal annealing can also be used but requires high temperatures that are not feasible in the textile industry.
Researchers in the Graphene Flagship’s Flexible Electronics Work Package are working on developing graphene-enriched conductive polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) yarns. These graphene flakes are compounded with PET, and the resulting composite is woven into fabric by Greathable, stretchable and antibacterial fabric with far-infrared, antistatic, and UV resistance properties.
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