Synthesis of three polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with different functional groups (isobutyl, aminopropyl, perfluoroalkil) and their application to cotton fabric were presented. Chemical structure of POSS was determined by the IR, 29Si NMR and MS analyses and cotton’s surface free energy by the liquid contact angle measurements. While excellent oleophobicity was obtained by application of perfluorinated POSS, superhydrophobicity with the contact angles of water higher than 150°, was achieved by using only amino-POSS, which is very hard to attain for non-fluorinated compounds.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 4431898The importance of sol-gel technology for textile functionalization, its advantages over conventional finishing and mechanism of sol-gel polymer film formation on fibres is presented. Attention is given to precursors with different chemical structures, which by decreasing fibres’ surface free energy and forming micro- to nanoroughness impart the repellent properties of textiles. Importance of proper selection of precursors in the mixture, which can form sol-gel film with simultaneous superhydrophobic, oleophobic and antimicrobial properties by synergistic action, is discussed.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 2479216Brigita Tomšič worked at the University of Twente (Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Engineering of Fibrous Smart Materials group) during the period 1.8.–1.12.2010, where she participated as a postdoctoral researcher at the Advanbiotex project (leader: prof. Dr. Dragan Jocić) founded by the Marie Curie Excellence Grant (MEXT-CT-2006-042641) under the 6th Framework Program. Her tasks were: introduction of new method for durable application of microgel to synthetic fibres, characterisation of responsiveness of newly obtained material to the ambient conditions, development of new test methods. The results of the research were presented at the project workshop.
F.02 Acquisition of new scientific knowledge
COBISS.SI-ID: 2478960Barbara Simončič was a Guest Professor at The Swedish School of Textiles, University of Boras, Sweden, giving 20 hours of lecture on the topic of the sol-gel technology for chemical modification of textile fibres for students on Master degree in Textile technology from 21th to 25th February 2011. The lecture included the introduction of the theoretical approach of sol-gel process, chemical structures of novel precursors and their application to textile fibres to obtain different functional properties as well as analytical methods for determination of quality parameters of the coating.
B.05 Guest lecturer at an institute/university
COBISS.SI-ID: 2557552Barbara Simončič announced the results of the basic project J2-2223 "Chemical modification of textiles by using sol-gel technology" in the international journal in the field of science, research and technology entitled International Innovation. In an interview, the main aim of the research, the advantages of chemical modification of textiles by sol-gel technology, the structure of new synthesized sol-gel precursors for the creation of lotus effect on cellulose fibers and application of the research results were presented.
D.01 Chairing over/coordinating (international and national) projects
COBISS.SI-ID: 2769776