TEXTILE CHEMISTRY

Research programme will encompass basic and applicative research studies with a common focus on development of advanced fibrous/textile materials and technologies, all targeted to greatly increase the quality of human health, living and environment. In accordance with RISS11-20 and Horizon 2020 programme, obtained results will contribute to the development of a knowledge society. Fibrous materials are light, flexible, have a large surface area and offer limitless possibilities for tuning of their mechanical and chemical properties; research activities will be directed toward: Development of functional fibrous surfaces Study of renewable and sustainable approaches for design of advanced materials and technologies with a low carbon footprint Development of advanced sensoric systems. First part of the research will be devoted to elaboration and further development of model 2D structures. These will be upgraded with modern functionalization techniques.  Knowledge and findings, stemming from research activities on model structures, will be implemented in fabrication of fibrous materials, whose preparation will be carried out using different modern approaches for surface functionalization: i) synthesis and usage of functional nano-particles, ii) production of nano-fibres, iii) design of 3D structures for biomedical applications, etc. Second part of our research programme will concern itself with protection of environment, which is one of the main goals of EU SRA WSSTP and Textile Platform. Here, research activities will consist of: i) development of new conductive, magnetic and superparamagnetic nano-materials for selective adsorption of heavy metals, organic pollutants and oil stains, ii) treatment and separation of chemical and biological species from waste waters in order to enable its reuse with an emphasis on efficient removal of endocrine disruptors, phytopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical pollutants, iii) research concerning textile care and hygiene, iv) development of advanced recycling processes, v) nano-safety. Main objective of the research programme’s third part will be development of new optical chemical and biochemical sensor receptors, which will be further on integrated into textile materials and as such will enable sensing and analysis of data in real time, on-line and in situ. Emphasis will be given on detection of environment toxicity parameters as well as detection of users’ physiological parameters. Gained knowledge will form a basis for design of i) biomedical materials, which will contribute directly to improvement of human health, ii) functionalized fibrous substrates, which will be employed to facilitate and improve conditions of living, iii) processes for tackling environment pollution, which will decrease detrimental effects on the environment, iv) new, textile-based sensoric systems for monitoring of the environment and human health, leading to a positive outcome for the growth of society of knowledge and for people, who will constitute it.

New findings in the field of functionalization of textile materials on a nano- and micro-level will lead to deepening of basic (co-dependence of structure, functionality and surface properties) and applicative (development and utilization of improved and novel physical and chemical methods, new materials and processes) knowledge in this field. Gained results from studies on preparation of multifunctional layers and structures and their application on textile surfaces will serve as a platform for development of multifunctional textiles and sustainable technologies. In the following section, we will highlight some of the scientific contributions of our programme group: new findings on preparation of defined structures on uneven and porous textile surfaces insight into process of electro-spinning of hybrid organic/inorganic nano-fibres (consisting of various biopolymers, such as hemicelluloses, fucoidan, chitosan, keratin and their combinations with other polymers and nano-particles of Au, Ag, zeolites) development of nanofibres‘ deposition/layering procedures with controlled orientation and interfibre distance; design of chemically and morphologically structured surface deepened understanding of covalent attachment of reagents (functional coatings) onto textile materials elaboration of the contemporary economic concept; from textile waste to chemical and textile secondary resources with added value protection of human health (responsive materials to external stimuli; photochromic, conducting textile materials) and environment (fabrication of ‘’nano-sponge’’ textile substrates for selective adsorption of pollutants) new findings on nano-safety of textile nano-materials new developments in the area of receptor sensor synthesis with an emphasis on synthesis of indicator dyes with an improved sensitivity. Resulting knowledge will contribute: to the development of complimentary scientific fields (bringing together and interconnecting engineering sciences with medicine and natural sciences) to the development of the society of knowledge. Research programme is fully corresponding to the main goals of Horizon 2020, European Strategic Research Agenda, European and Slovenian Textile Platforms and European Water Platform, as well as to Slovenian strategic documents, such as RISS11-20. Results of the research studies will be published in indexed journals and presented and international conferences, which will bring about exchange of experiences and ideas, enhancing cooperation with foreign experts working in the same field. This will also give rise to possible inclusions and collaborations in various bilateral and EU research projects.

Planned research studies will result in a wealth of new findings which will enrich Slovenian pool of knowledge on textile surfaces, advanced multifunctional textiles and innovative technologies. Bringing together different scientific fields, such as material science, bionics, nano-technology, ecology, etc. and the results that will be gained from that will contribute to growth of those scientific areas as well. Applicative findings, stemming from performed research will serve as a starting point for development of advanced products and processes not only in textile industry but, owing to their interdisciplinary nature, will be implementable in other fields, e.g. medicine, hygiene, production of home appliances, waste management and waste water treatment, etc. Results of research studies will be directly transferred into industrial practice and as such will also assist in informing economy and industrial entities about advanced and sustainable technologies and materials. We will use several tools to indirectly influence technological development and directing the production towards sustainable high value-added products and increase the competitiveness of Slovenian textile and related industries: involvement in national and European projects with industrial partners, functional education, industrial seminars, joint graduate and master theses, R&D consultation. Such approach has already proven itself as extremely efficient, since we successfully cooperate with a number of partners (Predilnica Litija d.d., Konus-Konex, d.d., Tekstina Ajdovščina, Svilanit Kamnik, Uni&Forma d.o.o., Tosama d.d., Gorenje d.d., Cinkarna d.d., Julon d.d., Silkem d.o.o., Swaty d.d., Mercator d.d. IOS, d.o.o, itd.) and various organizations, associations and ministries (Ministry of Defence, IRSPIN, Slovenian Firefighers Association, etc.). Organization of meetings, symposia, congresses, workshops and other forms of informing and relaying of knowledge will enable us to spread awareness among economic entities and general public about advanced and sustainable solutions for production and usage of textile materials. All these activities can help to a great extent in shifting focus of small and medium Slovenian enterprises toward products with high added value and as a result greatly improve textile industry’s competitiveness and mitigating the consequences of the recession. Such endeavours will inevitably lead to sustainable industrial development, protection of environment and human health and to an increase in quality of life. Last but not least, our research work will influence the progression of graduate and post-graduate studies in the field of textile materials and technologies, which will in turn favourably contribute to further advancing of higher education and to construction of a society of knowledge.