INDIAN JOURNAL OF FIBRE & TEXTILE RESEARCH, vol.46, pp.293-302, 2021 (Journal Indexed in SCI Expanded)
In this study, polyester fabrics having temperature and water/moisture responsive dynamic recovery function have been
prepared with a nanocomposite finishing treatment composed of shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) and cellulose
nanowhiskers (CNWs). The effect of CNW concentration (5-20 wt%) within SMPU-CNW nanocomposite on bagging
recovery has been investigated by a test procedure, including relative humidity (RH), air, and water media at different
temperatures simulating laundry and drying processes. Characterization of fabrics is conducted by FTIR, SEM and DMA
studies. FTIR and SEM analyses results confirm the existence of SMPU-CNW nanocomposite on fabric. SMPU-CNW
treatment significantly increases the weight and bursting strength of the fabrics, as expected. Most notably, SMPU-CNW
nanocomposites enable a dynamic bagging recovery of up to 100% above Tg of SMPU in water. Results give implications of
an active polyester fabric production possibility having dual responsiveness to both body physiological and environmental
changes besides acceptable hand and strength.