01/19/2022
By Kwok Fan Chow
The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a doctoral proposal defense by Rashmi Sharma entitled “Multifunctional Fabrics using Surface Functionalization and Microencapsulation.”
The proposal defense will be held on Jan. 28 at 11:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. Please contact Rashmi_Sharma@student.uml.edu for meeting information if you are interested in attending. The committee will be composed of Ramaswamy Nagarajan (chair), Jayant Kumar, Yuyu Sun and Ravi Mosurkal. A brief abstract is provided below.
Abstract:
The development of multifunctional fabrics is of interest for numerous defense and civilian applications. However, most approaches reported currently for surface treatments render the fabric stiff or non-breathable. This doctoral thesis seeks to explore new methods for incorporating multiple functionalities onto fabrics using sustainable starting materials. The functionalities explored in this research are flame retardancy and near infrared (NIR) reflectivity for 50/50 nylon cotton blend (Nyco) fabric.
Microencapsulation will be explored for the incorporation of triphenyl phosphate, a phosphorous-based flame retardant (FR) onto fabrics. The microcapsules will be synthesized using complex coacervation process and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal stability and heat release characteristics of these microcapsules and the fabrics treated with these will be evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) respectively.
In recent decades, the rapid development of near infrared (NIR) detection devices has necessitated the development of fabrics that are reflective in NIR spectral range. Naturally occurring chlorophyll dye has near IR reflection characteristics very similar to vegetation and can be an excellent ingredient for managing near IR reflection. Sodium copper chlorophyllin, a derivative of chlorophyll will be covalently functionalized onto the surface of cotton/Nyco fabric using appropriate crosslinking methods. The dyed fabrics will be characterized using FT-IR and the color will be evaluated using a spectrophotometer. The spectral characteristics of the dyed fabric will be evaluated and compared to the reflectance values from standard military Nyco fabric. This research opens new possibilities that allows use of safer, low cost and durable fabric coatings to achieve multifunctionality.
All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.