11/04/2026
By Kwok Fan Chow

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a Ph.D. dissertation defense by Md. Al-Amin, titled “Enhancing Interfacial Adhesion and Multifunctionality in Electrospun-Textile Semipermeable Systems for Durable Chem-Bio and Flame Protection.”

Details

  • Date: Friday, Nov. 20, 2026
  • Time: 3 p.m.
  • Location: Perry, Room 215

Committee members

  • Advisor: Amir Ameli, Ph.D., Department of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Co-advisor: James E. Whitten, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Ramaswamy Nagarajan, Ph.D., Department of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • James F. Reuther, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract

Protective textiles for military and emergency responders must block chemical, biological and thermal hazards simultaneously while remaining permeable. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes typically address a single hazard and delaminate during laundering. This research reports a semipermeable Nyco textile system that combines electrospun membranes based on TPU and TPU-CA. An electrosprayed TPU primer improved adhesion, whereas formic acid etching, plasma and heat treatment strategies provided no statistically significant improvement. Adding a polyvinyl acetate-based textile glue (PVAG) to the primer and the membrane increased peel strength to 0.88 ± 0.16 N/cm, which was 193% above the primer-only sample, without compromising permeability. This strategy retained 74% adhesion strength even after five laundering cycles. This work also investigated the performance of TPU-CA-MOF hybrid membranes. TPU-CA membranes yielded fibers of 50–150 nm with dispersed MOF particles. Flame retardant-treated Nyco substrate preserved self-extinguishing behavior (zero after-flame; char length, 8.9–11.4 cm), raised filtration efficiency to ≥ 99.95%, and extended DMMP breakthrough time to 3.72 minutes. Air permeability dropped from 20–34 to 7–12 L m-2 s-1, yet remained reasonable. These findings provide a design basis for durable, multifunctional protective clothing with opportunities to further enhance chemical protection, breathability and membrane strength.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.