Layer-By-Layer Self-Assembled Dip Coating for Antifouling Functionalized Finishing of Cotton Textile

Functional coatings for textiles: advancements in flame resistance, antimicrobial defense, and self-cleaning performance

The continuous evolution of textile technologies has led to innovative functional coatings that enhance protective textiles by integrating flame retardancy, antimicrobial efficacy, and self-cleaning properties. These multifunctional coatings address the growing demand for high-performance materials in healthcare, military, and industrial applications. This study reviews advancements in coating techniques, including dip-coating, spray-coating, sol-gel processes, and layer-by-layer assembly, highlighting their effectiveness in imparting durability, thermal stability, and biological activity to textile substrates. The incorporation of bioactive materials such as chitosan, silver nanoparticles, and plant-derived antimicrobials has demonstrated enhanced pathogen resistance and prolonged fabric functionality. Furthermore, recent developments in phosphorus-based flame retardants and photocatalytic self-cleaning agents, including titanium dioxide and silica nanoparticles, have contributed to the sustainability of functional textiles by reducing environmental impact. Challenges remain in achieving compatibility among diverse functional components while maintaining mechanical integrity and user comfort. Scalability and cost-efficiency also present barriers to commercialization, necessitating cross-disciplinary collaboration among material scientists, engineers, and regulatory experts. Future research should focus on biodegradable alternatives, smart-responsive coatings, and advanced nanomaterial integration to enhance the longevity and eco-friendliness of protective textiles. As industry standards shift towards sustainability, functional coatings are poised to redefine textile applications, offering tailored solutions that balance safety, performance, and environmental responsibility. This review underscores the transformative potential of multifunctional textile coatings and their role in advancing next-generation protective fabrics.

Nanocomposite system with photoactive phloxine B eradicates resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Nanomaterials modified with hybrid films functionalized with photoactive compounds can be an effective system to prevent and eradicate biofilms on medical devices. The aim of this research was to extend current knowledge on nanomaterial comprised of polyurethane (PU) modified with a nanocomposite film of organoclay with the functionalized photosensitizer (PS) phloxine B (PhB). Particles of the clay mineral saponite were, at first modified by octadecyltrimethylammonium cations to activate the surface for PhB adsorption. The colloids were filtered to get silicate films on polytetrafluoroethylene membrane filters, which were layered with a liquid mixture of PU precursors. The penetration of PU into the silicate formed a thin nanocomposite film. This nanomaterial demonstrated excellent effectiveness against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) resistant to fluoroquinolones (L12 and S61, respectively). It showed more than 1000- and 10 000-fold inhibition of biofilm growth after irradiation with green laser compared to the unmodified PU material. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression showed that the effectiveness of the nanomaterial was not influenced by virulence factors such as the expression of efflux pumps of the Nor family, the adhesin PIA encoded by the icaADBC operon or the robustness of the biofilms. However, the presence of organoclay, PhB and irradiation had a significant effect on the anti-biofilm properties of the nanocomposite. The anti-microbial properties of the material were strengthened after irradiation, because of high reactive oxygen species release (more than 14-fold compared to non-irradiated sample). Materials based on photoactive molecules can represent a worthwhile pathway towards the development of more complex nanomaterials applicable in various fields of medicine.

Diverse Structural Design Strategies of MXene-Based Macrostructure for High-Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

There is an urgent demand for flexible, lightweight, mechanically robust, excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) have been potential candidates for the construction of excellent EMI shielding materials due to their great electrical electroconductibility, favorable mechanical nature such as flexibility, large aspect ratios, and simple processability in aqueous media. The applicability of MXenes for EMI shielding has been intensively explored; thus, reviewing the relevant research is beneficial for advancing the design of high-performance MXene-based EMI shields. Herein, recent progress in MXene-based macrostructure development is reviewed, including the associated EMI shielding mechanisms. In particular, various structural design strategies for MXene-based EMI shielding materials are highlighted and explored. In the end, the difficulties and views for the future growth of MXene-based EMI shields are proposed. This review aims to drive the growth of high-performance MXene-based EMI shielding macrostructures on basis of rational structural design and the future high-efficiency utilization of MXene.

Hybrid Hemp Particles as Functional Fillers for the Manufacturing of Hydrophobic and Anti-icing Epoxy Composite Coatings

The development of hydrophobic composite coatings is of great interest for several applications in the aerospace industry. Functionalized microparticles can be obtained from waste fabrics and employed as fillers to prepare sustainable hydrophobic epoxy-based coatings. Following a waste-to-wealth approach, a novel hydrophobic epoxy-based composite including hemp microparticles (HMPs) functionalized with waterglass solution, 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane, polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride, and either hexadecyltrimethoxysilane or 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane is presented. The resulting epoxy coatings based on hydrophobic HMPs were cast on aeronautical carbon fiber-reinforced panels to improve their anti-icing performance. Wettability and anti-icing behavior of the prepared composites were investigated at 25 °C and -30 °C (complete icing time), respectively. Samples cast with the composite coating can achieve up to 30 °C higher water contact angle and doubled icing time than aeronautical panels treated with unfilled epoxy resin. A low content (2 wt %) of tailored HMPs causes an increase of ∼26% in the glass transition temperature of the coatings compared to pristine resin, confirming the good interaction between the hemp filler and epoxy matrix at the interphase. Finally, atomic force microscopy reveals that the HMPs can induce the formation of a hierarchical structure on the surface of casted panels. This rough morphology, combined with the silane activity, allows the preparation of aeronautical substrates with enhanced hydrophobicity, anti-icing capability, and thermal stability.

Modeling Solution Drying by Moving a Liquid-Vapor Interface: Method and Applications

A method of simulating the drying process of a soft matter solution with an implicit solvent model by moving the liquid-vapor interface is applied to various solution films and droplets. For a solution of a polymer and nanoparticles, we observe “polymer-on-top” stratification, similar to that found previously with an explicit solvent model. Furthermore, “polymer-on-top” is found even when the nanoparticle size is smaller than the radius of gyration of the polymer chains. For a suspension droplet of a bidisperse mixture of nanoparticles, we show that core-shell clusters of nanoparticles can be obtained via the “small-on-outside” stratification mechanism at fast evaporation rates. “Large-on-outside” stratification and uniform particle distribution are also observed when the evaporation rate is reduced. Polymeric particles with various morphologies, including Janus spheres, core-shell particles, and patchy particles, are produced from drying droplets of polymer solutions by combining fast evaporation with a controlled interaction between the polymers and the liquid-vapor interface. Our results validate the applicability of the moving interface method to a wide range of drying systems. The limitations of the method are pointed out and cautions are provided to potential practitioners on cases where the method might fail.

Bactericidal Anti-Adhesion Potential Integrated Polyoxazoline/Silver Nanoparticle Composite Multilayer Film with pH Responsiveness

Bacterial infections occur frequently during the implantation of medical devices, and functional coating is one of the effective means to prevent and remove biofilms. In this study, three different hydrophilic polyoxazolines with carboxyl groups (aPOx: PT1, PT2 and PT3) and bactericidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized successfully, and an aPOx-AgNP multilayer film was prepared by electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly. The effect of charge density and assembly solution concentration was explored, and the optimal self-assembly parameters were established (PT2 1 mg/mL and AgNPs 3 mg/mL). The hydrophilicity of the surface can be enhanced to resist protein adhesion if the outermost layer is aPOx, and AgNPs can be loaded to kill bacteria, thereby realizing the bactericidal anti-adhesion potential integration of the aPOx-AgNP multilayer film. In addition, the aPOx-AgNP multilayer film was found to have the characteristic of intelligent and efficient pH-responsive silver release, which is expected to be used as a targeted anti-biofilm surface of implantable medical devices.