Projects / Programmes
Advanced bio-chemical tools in nano-processing of fibre forming polymers
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
Polymer materials |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T150 |
Technological sciences |
Material technology |
| T470 |
Technological sciences |
Textiles technology |
| T360 |
Technological sciences |
Biochemical technology |
fibre forming polymers, activation of surfaces, modification and functionalisation, biotechnology, enzymes, plasma, e-beam, microwave, ultrasound, catalitic reactions, ecology.
Researchers (10)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Innovative biotechnological and green-chemistry approaches in combination with physical tools will be fully exploited in order to activate and/or modify natural and synthetic fibre forming polymers from nano-levels of polymer bio-catalysis up to industrial engineering of new environmental and economical friendly processes. The new fibre materials with improved properties can be exploited either to enhance the bulk properties of existing ones for better performance, or to create new value-added products with tailored or smart surface characteristics based on multifunctionality. The first aim of the project (A) is so in utilising advanced bio-chemical, physical or combined bio-physical tools for activation and/or modification (creation of new functional-active groups) of oriented polymer surface chemistry and structure on nano/macro scales enabling subsequent grafting/coating of desired active agents or compounds (e.g. smart colloidal microgels, capsules or multi-layers) to the solid polymer matrix in order to create new added-value product meeting specific market needs (e.g. antibacterial, super-hydrophilic/hydrophobic, UV-protecting, etc). Different-specific enzyme catalyse systems and biomimetics will be exploited to the natural (cellulose, wool) and synthetic (PA, PET, PAN, etc.) fibre forming polymers, and their blends. Environmentally-friendly physical technologies (plasma, e-beam, microwave) will assist chemical and advanced biotechnological processing. The reaction mechanism of new bio-processing will be defined; the accessibility and reactivity of target groups created in new heterogeneous fibre surface matrices will be determined. Accordingly, bio-based and sustainable functional polymers with defined functions will be introduced.
The second aim of the project (B) is the application of bio-physical tools (enzymes, e-beam, ultrasound, magnetic field) for reduction and oxidation mechanisms of vat/indigo dyes in the dyeing of cellulose fibres, in order to solve the current problems of using ecologically unsuitable (a) sodium dithionite as the most appropriate reducing/vatting agent in converting the dye to its water soluble leuco form having the substantivity towards the fibres, and (b) hydrogen peroxide in highly alkaline medium converting the reduced dye to its original oxidised insoluble form. The reaction mechanisms of enzymatic reduction and oxidation processing of dyes will be defined; developed biological technologies will be transferred to the processing of other fibre processing.
In order to ensure the success of this project, combination of different physico-technological, chemical and bio-technological expertness that will be available at Slovenian and other EU partners research institutes will links to create new competence and ensure efficient synergy and success of the research.
