Projects / Programmes
Development of new sustainable flame retardant poliamide fibres with conductive properties
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.14.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Textile and leather |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T470 |
Technological sciences |
Textiles technology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.05 |
Engineering and Technology |
Materials engineering |
Polyamide 6, in situ polymerization, nanocomposite, melt-spining, fibre, sustainability, flame retardancy, thermal stability, conductivity, antistatic
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
34382 |
PhD Jelena Vasiljević |
Textile and leather |
Head |
2018 - 2020 |
80 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The "essential goal" of this Postdoc project is to solve the origine of agglomeration problem of flame retardant (FR) additives incorporated into the PA6 matrix, which will result in higher effectiveness of FR in PA6/FR nanocomposites at lower additive loading. This will provide a powerful tool for overcoming a challenging scientific problem currently restraining production of the flame fetardant PA6/FR nanocomposite textile fibres and fabrics. Thus, the "ultimate objective" of the project is to develop new approach for the production of new-generation sustainable high performance multifunctional protective polyamide 6 (PA6) textile fibres and fabrics resulting in the important breakthrough in the field of the nanocomposite textile materials. The currently used approaches for the production of PA6/FR composite fibres are limited by the micro-sized agglomerated FRs due to the high melt reactivity of the PA6. This represents the major obstacle for the balance between the effective FR loading, fibre spinnability, and required tensile properties. In parallel, the contemporary research in the field of the bulk incorporation of the nanocarbon materials (NCMs) in PA6 matrix confirms the in situ polymerization of ε-caprolactam in the presence of the NCMs as a feasible method, which enables controlling of the size of incorporated additives at the nano-level. In spite of the promising scientific achievements, application of this method in the field of PA6/FR composites is almost unexplored. Therefore, development of a new approach for the production of new-generation sustainable PA6 textile materials will include:
(1) Selection of the most sustainable FRs among the commercially available and the most recently synthesised halogen-free P, N, P/N based FRs and nanoclays with the best effectiveness and compatibility with PA6;
(2) Development of the production process for flame retardant PA6/FR nanocomposites with uniformly distributed nano-dispersed FR additives by using the in situ polymerization of ε-caprolactam in the presence of the selected FRs as well as their synergistic mixtures;
(3) Development of the production process for flame retardant PA6/FR nanocomposite fibres and fabrics with self-extinguishing properties and increased thermal stability by using the produced PA6/FR nanocomposites in a continuous process of melt-spinning, drawing and winding;
(4) Development of the production process for flame retardant PA6/FR/NCM nanocomposite yarns and fabrics with self-extinguishing properties and increased thermal stability upgraded with thermal conductivity and antistatic properties by incorporation of the functionalized NCMs (carbon nanotubes, graphene and their mixture) simultaneously with the most effective FRs in the optimized processes of the in situ polymerization and melt-spinning;
(5) Development of the surface modification for enhanced reinforcement of the matrix skeleton of the new PA6/FR and PA6/FR/NCM nanocomposite textile fabrics by using sol-gel technology and hybrid organofunctional trialkoxysilane precursors.
Additionally, characterization of the structure, physical and mechanical properties, burning behaviour, combustibility and thermal stability, thermal conductivity and antistatic properties and washing fastness of the novel PA6/FR, PA6/NCM and PA6/FR/NCM nanocomposite fibres simultaneously with the characterization of the evolved gasses during thermal decomposition and the charred residue will provide new knowledge regarding the interactions between the nanoscopic FRs and NCMs, and PA6 matrix as well as the corresponding FR mechanisms. Moreover, the breakthrough in the development of the new-generation sustainable high performance protective PA6 textile materials will provide promising candidate for the privileged reusable resource, representing the starting point for the establishment of Circular Economy Strategy for PA6/FR materials, which we plan to pursue in the future.
Significance for science
The major ground-breaking contribution of my Postdoc Project is in a novel approach, which will enable production of new-generation high performance multifunctional PA6 nanocomposite bulk plastic and textile materials of lower additive loading.
The current knowledge regarding the flame retardant (FR) mechanisms of PA6/FR composite materials is limited only on the action of the micro-sized FRs in the PA6 matrix, which also represents the major obstacle for the achievement of the balance between the efficient FR loading, fibre spinnability, and good tensile properties. In the contemporary science, the most outstanding and unique materials properties emerge from the nano-size bulk and surface modifications. Therefore, we will shift the focus to a novel in situ approach which enables to control the size of the incorporated FRs to the nanoscopic level. This powerful tool will enable crossing the boundaries between the fields of the PA6/FR bulk plastics and PA6/FR textile fibres, and enrichment of the current scientific knowledge with the new insights into the interactions between the nanoscopic additives and PA6 matrix as well as the flame retardant mechanisms of the nanoscopic FRs, their mixtures as well as mixtures with the emerging nanocarbon materials (NCMs).
Development of the novel approach for the production of new sustainable flame retardant PA6/FR/NCM nanocomposite textile fibres and fabrics with self-extinguishing properties, high thermal stability, good spinnability and required mechanical properties and characterization of the nanocomposite materials will provide:
the important breakthrough in the field of the nanocomposite textile fibres;
effective production approach for new recyclable high performance bulk plastic and textile nanocomposite materials at lower loadings of the more sustainable FRs;
promising candidate for the privileged reusable high performance resource, representing the starting point and the opportunity for the establishment of the Circular Economy Strategy for PA6 plastic materials;
a support to the strategy for preservation of the limited petroleum resources and reduction of the global pollution of Earth’s landfills and the Oceans;
upgrade of the research within the Programs P2-0213 Textiles and ecology and P2-0393 Advanced materials for low-carbon and sustainable society.
The influence of the nanodispersed FRs and NCMs in the PA6 matrix on the chemical recyclability of the PA6 polymer is beyond the scope of this Postdoc project and represents a field of research that we plan to pursue in the future. Therefore, the successful realization of this Postdoc Project will essentially upgrade the properties of the chemically recyclable PA6 polymer and will provide the privileged reusable high performance resource.
Additionally, this breakthrough in the field of the nanocomposite textile fibres will provide the opportunity for the increase of the competitiveness of the Slovenian and European textile industry.
Significance for the country
The major ground-breaking contribution of my Postdoc Project is in a novel approach, which will enable production of new-generation high performance multifunctional PA6 nanocomposite bulk plastic and textile materials of lower additive loading.
The current knowledge regarding the flame retardant (FR) mechanisms of PA6/FR composite materials is limited only on the action of the micro-sized FRs in the PA6 matrix, which also represents the major obstacle for the achievement of the balance between the efficient FR loading, fibre spinnability, and good tensile properties. In the contemporary science, the most outstanding and unique materials properties emerge from the nano-size bulk and surface modifications. Therefore, we will shift the focus to a novel in situ approach which enables to control the size of the incorporated FRs to the nanoscopic level. This powerful tool will enable crossing the boundaries between the fields of the PA6/FR bulk plastics and PA6/FR textile fibres, and enrichment of the current scientific knowledge with the new insights into the interactions between the nanoscopic additives and PA6 matrix as well as the flame retardant mechanisms of the nanoscopic FRs, their mixtures as well as mixtures with the emerging nanocarbon materials (NCMs).
Development of the novel approach for the production of new sustainable flame retardant PA6/FR/NCM nanocomposite textile fibres and fabrics with self-extinguishing properties, high thermal stability, good spinnability and required mechanical properties and characterization of the nanocomposite materials will provide:
the important breakthrough in the field of the nanocomposite textile fibres;
effective production approach for new recyclable high performance bulk plastic and textile nanocomposite materials at lower loadings of the more sustainable FRs;
promising candidate for the privileged reusable high performance resource, representing the starting point and the opportunity for the establishment of the Circular Economy Strategy for PA6 plastic materials;
a support to the strategy for preservation of the limited petroleum resources and reduction of the global pollution of Earth’s landfills and the Oceans;
upgrade of the research within the Programs P2-0213 Textiles and ecology and P2-0393 Advanced materials for low-carbon and sustainable society.
The influence of the nanodispersed FRs and NCMs in the PA6 matrix on the chemical recyclability of the PA6 polymer is beyond the scope of this Postdoc project and represents a field of research that we plan to pursue in the future. Therefore, the successful realization of this Postdoc Project will essentially upgrade the properties of the chemically recyclable PA6 polymer and will provide the privileged reusable high performance resource.
Additionally, this breakthrough in the field of the nanocomposite textile fibres will provide the opportunity for the increase of the competitiveness of the Slovenian and European textile industry.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
