pISSN : 1229-9197 / eISSN : 1875-0052
Fibers and Polymers, the journal of the Korean Fiber Society, provides you with state-of-the-art research in fibers and polymer science and technology related to developments in the textile industry. Bridging the gap between fiber science and polymer science, the journal’s topics include fiber structure and property, dyeing and finishing, textile processing, and apparel science.

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Latest Publication   (Vol. 25, No. 11, Nov.  2024)

Unleashing the Potential: Strategies for Enhancing Performance of Electrospun PVDF-Based Piezoelectric Nanofibrous Membranes
Zongjie Li  Xiaoyu Wang  Xiaolei Xiang  Jingwei Xie  Guomin Zhao  Zongjie Li  Xiaobin Sun
In recent years, driven by the pressing demand for sustainable energy solutions, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a promising piezoelectric material, has garnered considerable attention for its application in energy-harvesting devices. PVDF stands out as the material of choice in piezoelectric generator technology owing to its remarkable flexibility, superior processability, long-term stability, and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, PVDF-based generators exhibit inferior piezoelectric responses compared to traditional piezoelectric ceramic materials, thereby constraining their performance in large-scale deployments. To address this limitation, researchers have been exploring innovative strategies to enhance the piezoelectric properties of PVDF. Among these, electrospinning technology emerges as a pivotal approach due to its ability to impart mechanical stretching and in situ polarization to the polymer during fabrication. This paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in optimizing the output performance of PVDF-based piezoelectric nanofiber membranes through the integration of filler doping technology with electrospinning. We delve into the effects of various filler types on the properties of electrospun PVDF-based piezoelectric nanofiber membranes and explore their underlying mechanisms. These fillers significantly bolster the output performance of PVDF-based piezoelectric devices by augmenting PVDF's piezoelectric activity, fostering dipole orientation, and elevating the dielectric constant. Notably, the incorporation of fillers not only elevates the piezoelectric coefficient but also optimizes the microstructure, facilitating an efficient conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. Furthermore, we envision the promising application prospects of PVDF piezoelectric nanofibers in cutting-edge fields, such as health monitoring, environmental monitoring, and energy-harvesting systems. These domains urgently require piezoelectric materials that combine high sensitivity, stability, and cost-effectiveness, where PVDF-based piezoelectric nanofibers, with their distinctive advantages, are poised to demonstrate significant application potential and societal value.
Color Catcher Sheets for the Construction of Low-Cost, Planar Optical Sensors
Ivo Safarik  Ivo Safarik  Jitka Prochazkova
Color catcher sheets, developed to prevent color runs during the washing process, have found interesting applications in (bio)analytical chemistry. Both native and modified sheets can be used as low-cost, planar optical sensors for the analysis of various dyes and as a carrier for immobilization of specific ligands. Changes of sensor color can be observed by spectrophotometry or using an image analysis. Portable devices including smartphones and corresponding applications can substantially accelerate the assays. Low-cost color catcher sheets do not require any activation and can be employed for wide variety of analytical applications. This mini-review covers recent advances in the progressive applications of color catcher sheets.
Application of Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Technology in Monitoring of the Preparation of Spinning Solution for Electrospinning
Xiaoguang Qiao  Zhaopeng Li  Xiaoguang Qiao
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) technology had already been applied in polymer science and provides a deeper understanding on polymer structure and formation processes. Here we prepared a copolymer of (2-(4-vinylphenyl)ethene-1,1,2-triyl)tribenzene (TPEE) and acrylonitrile (AN) (PTPEE-co-AN), which was utilized as the fluoresce probe for the monitoring of the electrostatic spinning process. Owing to the physical entanglement which restrincted the movement of TPE units, the PL intensity of the spinning solution increased with the increase of PAN in the solution. The viscosity and the concentration of PAN spinning solution was, therefore, could be monitored by PL intensity or by nake eyes. As the main component of fluoresce probes was PAN, the copolymer can be well integrated with spinning components, and has no impact on the electrospinning process. Moreover, the PTPEE-co-AN endowed photoluminescence properties to the formed fibers, as well as the fiber films. This method provides a new observation platform for the electrospinning process, and a variety of probes can be prepared through copolymerization to suit the spinning of different polymers.
Transmissive-to-Black Electrochromic Switching of Pendant Viologen Polymer with Superior Long-Term Operation Stability
Jong Park  Do Yeon Kim  Soo Yeon Eom  Jong S. Park
Electrochromic devices (ECDs) have evolved significantly with advancements in electrochromic materials. Viologen-based ECDs, known for their tunable electrochromic properties, face challenges such as low cyclic lifetime and electrolyte leakage. This study introduces poly-APPV, a pendant viologen polymer exhibiting transmissive-to-black electrochromic switching. The polymer offers enhanced long-term stability and rapid switching times, effectively addressing these challenges. The synthesis of allyl viologen, [APPV][PF6]2, and poly-APPV is successfully characterized using 1H-NMR, FT-IR, and GPC analyses. Cyclic voltammetry reveals diffusion-controlled redox reactions, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows acceptable ionic conductivity of poly-APPV. Spectroelectrochemical studies indicate significant transmittance changes, with poly-APPV exhibiting a lower operating voltage and superior transmittance difference. Long-term stability tests confirm superior optical density and high coloration efficiency of poly-APPV. Overall, the pendant viologen polymer’s enhanced properties make it a promising material for electrochromic applications. These findings prove the benefits of polymerized viologens in enhancing electrochromic performances, offering valuable insights for developing next-generation electrochromic systems.
Thermal Behavior of Functionalized Polybenzoxazines: Part 2, Directive Influence of Ethynyl Group
HoDong Kim  Kwang Soo Cho  HoDong Kim
This paper describes the investigation of the influence of the substitution position of ethynyl groups in benzoxazines on their ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and the thermal stability of the resulting polybenzoxazines. A series of benzoxazines derived from bisphenol A with ethynyl groups at various positions are synthesized and structurally characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. Monitoring of the curing behavior via in situ FT-IR and differential scanning calorimetry analyses reveals the occurrence of position-dependent effects during curing. Kinetic studies of the curing process, conducted via the Kissinger and Ozawa methods, indicate that the presence of ethynyl groups not only promotes the ROP but also reduces the activation energy required for the process. Compared to conventional ethynyl-free polybenzoxazine, ethynyl-functionalized polybenzoxazines exhibit superior thermal stability, including increased glass transition temperature. In particular, the introduction of the ethynyl groups at the meta position provides the greatest enhancement of the thermal properties, reaching an increase in the char yield of approximately 21%. This position also allows reducing the curing temperature, underscoring its critical role in the development of high-performance polybenzoxazines.
Transparent Cellulose-Based Composite Film with Functional Integration for Potential Agriculture Application
Tao Zhang  Tao Zhang  Jiali Ran  Yu Chen  Xiao Zhang  Yannan Chen  Fengxian Qiu
Within the realm of sustainable agriculture, there is a growing focus on the development of biodegradable plastic coverings in response to the adverse environmental impact stemming from contamination by fossil-based plastic film. Herein, a function-integrated cellulose-based composite film was innovatively designed for agricultural insulation applications. Lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNF) and hollow SiO2 microspheres are blended to construct LCNF/SiO2 composite films with multistage nanocavity structures. Meanwhile, the hexadecyltrimethoxysilane modification further promotes the integration of hydrophobic function and the encapsulated function of hollow SiO2 microspheres in the composite film to form the hydrophobic LCNF/SiO2 (H-LCNF/SiO2) composite film. Owing to the small size effect of SiO2 microspheres and the nanocavity structure, the resulting film exhibits a low thermal conductivity (0.07 ± 0.002 W/(m·K)) and excellent optical properties of the UV–Vis transmission with transparency of over 77% (above 600 nm). Furthermore, H-LCNF/SiO2 composite film displays acceptable mechanical properties with tensile strength of 56.03 MPa and elongation at a break of 6.10%, respectively. Notably, the composite film acquires excellent flexibility, water-proofing, water vapor permeability, and biodegradable performances, improving agricultural applications. Therefore, this work provides a lignocellulose-based film with functional integration that differs from traditional agricultural films by constructing a hollow structure to achieve thermal protection, with the advantage of being more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, promising potential applications in agriculture.
Synthesis and Durable Antimicrobial and Anti-fungal Properties of Triclosan and Chitosan Co-grafted Polypropylene Nonwovens
Hailing Xi  Ke Hu  Hongxuan Chen  Yihui Lin  Shitong Han  Qi Wang  Houqian Peng  Ying Wang  Jiwu Zhao  Hailing Xi  Na Wen  Jinlin Long
Polypropylene (PP) nonwovens have been widely used in disposable protective masks and protective clothing, which are essential to protect healthcare workers from highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, realizing the disinfection reusable function of PP nonwovens to reduce carbon emission or white waste pollution after extensive use has been still a great challenge. Herein, Durable Antimicrobial and Anti-fungal Post-disinfection polypropylene nonwovens were developed by co-grafting of Triclosan and Chitosan. The antibacterial performance test results showed that the as-prepared co-grafted polypropylene nonwoven has a > 99.9% of antimicrobial efficiency against E. coli, S. aureus as well as multi-drug-resistant P. aeruginosa, and the excellent anti-fungal performance against fungus (C. albicans) and mold (A. niger). Moreover, it retained excellent Antimicrobial and Anti-fungal Properties after disinfection 3 times with boiling water, 40 × diluted 84 disinfectant and 75% alcohol for 5 min. This work provided ideas for developing more effective pathogen protection and longer-lasting personal protective equipment to reduce the environmental impact of medical masks and personal protective equipment in terms of energy consumption, carbon emissions and waste generation.
Metallo-tetraphenylporphyrin-Based Porous Organic Polymers: Effect of Metal Components on Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Conversion
Santosh Kumar  Yonggyun Cho  Hyunwoo Byun  Yijin Choi  Santosh Kumar  Nazrul Hsan  Minyoung Eom  Keechul Youm  Joonseok Koh
A series of metalated porous organic polymers (POPs) derived from tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) was synthesized, and the specific surface areas, selectivities for CO2 over N2, and conversion properties of the POPs were investigated. The metallo-tetraphenylporphyrin-based porous organic polymers were characterized using FT-IR, 13C-NMR, TGA, XRD, XPS, HR-FESEM, and EDX. Among the five catalysts studied, non-metalated TPP-based POP exhibited the highest BET surface area of 524.04 m2g-1, whereas the Ni(II)TPP-based POP had the greatest CO2/N2 selectivity at both 298 and 323 K. In terms of the catalytic efficiency for the conversion of styrene oxide to styrene carbonate using CO2, 2HPOP exhibited the highest yield of 91.67%, while the yield obtained with the metalated POPs was approximately 20%. This result suggests that the catalytic efficiency for CO2 conversion is determined by both the selectivity and surface area of the metalated POPs. Moreover, the improvement in the CO2/N2 selectivity resulting from metalation did not play a dominant role in counterbalancing and surpassing the decrease in porosity.
Manufacturing of Bio-Based TPU/CNT Composites Using Solvent-Free In-Situ Polymerization for 3D Printing Filament Applications
Eun Shin  Eun Joo Shin  Jae Hyun Son  Hyeri Jun  Sunhee Lee
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a highly favored polymer for 3D printing materials due to its excellent impact and abrasion resistance, superior mechanical properties, and flexibility at low temperatures. Enhancing TPU with conductivity considerably broadens its application range, paving the way for its use in advanced flexible electronics, wearable technologies, and improved industrial components. The addition of electrically conductive fillers such as multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can improve the conductivity of TPU. In this study, we synthesized TPU with a bio-based polyol (polytrimethyleneether glycol) and chain extender (1,3 propanediol) and improved its conductivity by adding a small amount of CNTs via in situ polymerization without using any harmful solvents. The CNT content was varied from 0.75 to 3.75 wt% and to achieve a tensile strength of 13.45 ± 0.3 MPa, a maximum elongation at break of 859% ± 6%, a hardness of 77 ± 2 Shore A, and the highest conductivity (2.26 × 10-4 S/cm) with 3.75 wt% of CNTs. Because these physical properties are sufficient for 3D printing, the TPU/CNT composites developed herein can be promising in applications requiring conductive materials.
Novel Degradable Superabsorbent Polymers Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Jung Im  Gyu Dong Lee  Song Jun Doh  Yoonjin Kim  Jung Nam Im
In this study, biocompatible and biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were prepared from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using citric acid as a crosslinking agent, utilizing a high-concentration CMC paste and a short annealing process. The effects of CMC molecular weight, annealing temperature and time, and crosslinker concentration on the absorption properties in saline solution were evaluated. In addition, the effects of mixing CMC SAPs with different molecular weights were explored to optimize performance. The results showed that CMC molecular weight significantly affected absorption properties, with medium molecular weight (395 kDa) exhibiting the best overall performance. The content of the crosslinking agent and annealing conditions were also critical—higher crosslinking improved absorption under load but reduced free swell absorption and retention. In addition, the absorption properties could be optimized by appropriately mixing the CMC SAPs with different molecular weights, indicating complementary interactions that enhance performance beyond the individual contributions of each SAPs. These findings can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly, high-performance superabsorbent materials for personal care products as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-derived SAPs.