With the rapid development of 5G wireless network and modern electronic communication equipment, challenges posed by electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) pollution have become increasingly prominent. These issues threaten sensitive electronic devices and human health alike. In this context, electromagnetic shielding textiles—designed to protect against radiation hazards—have garnered significant attention. Unlike conventional textiles, these materials exhibit unique physical properties, notably electrical conductivity and magnetism, achieved through conductive polymers, coatings, metallic yarns, or their functional integration with natural/synthetic fibers. The lightweight, flexible, low-density, and easy-processing characteristics of fiber-based electromagnetic shielding materials (FESM) have driven rapid innovation. Diverse fiber products, including fibers, yarns, woven/knitted/non-woven fabrics, and composites, have found extensive applications in the field of EMR shielding. This paper commences with the fundamental concept of electromagnetic shielding and then delves into various aspects of fiber-based electromagnetic shielding, such as mechanisms, properties, classifications, and processing techniques. It covers recent advances in material preparation, synthesizes findings on shielding efficacy across fiber/yarn/fabric forms, and reviews fabrication methods and applications—providing critical data analysis. Finally, it evaluates performance trade-offs and discusses future application needs and development trends for electromagnetic shielding textiles.

In this paper we have described the preparation of color catcher sheets with bound Prussian blue particles exhibiting peroxidase-like activity when the N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate salt was used as a substrate. Scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectra of native and modified color catcher sheets clearly showed the presence of Prussian blue particles on the surface of the modified fibers. The modified color catcher sheets exhibited slight adsorption of methylene blue; however, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide the peroxidase-like activity of bound Prussian blue enabled rapid decolorization of this dye. The Prussian blue modified color catcher sheets can be prepared in a simple and inexpensive way.

Chemical substitution is a propitious strategy for optimizing the charge transport properties of π-conjugated donor–acceptor (D–A) semiconducting materials in organic electronic devices. To explore the effects of fluorine substitution on the electronic and structural properties of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and photovoltaics (PVs), two new benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT)-based hole transport polymers (HTPs) were synthesized and characterized. The BDT monomers consisting of 2,6-bis(trimethytin)-4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene monomer (BDT monomer), and (4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)-4-fluorothiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl)bis(trimethylstannane) (FBDT monomer) were combined with 2,5-dibromofuran to produce BDT-Fu and FBDT-Fu HTPs. Fluorine integration significantly improved the molecular structure, optical, electrochemical, and morphological properties of these polymers, and the optoelectronic properties of the resulting devices. In FBDT-Fu, the fluorination enhanced crystallinity, optical absorption, and morphology, leading improvement in hole mobility of 3.49 × 10–3 cm2 V–1 s–1 in optimized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-gated OFETs, with an on/off current ratio exceeding 103. Consequently, FBDT-Fu-based silver bismuth sulfide (AgBiS2) nanocrystal PVs achieved a power conversion efficiency of 5.5%, a high fill factor of 55.46%, and an open-circuit voltage of 0.504 V under 1-sun illumination. This molecular design strategy offers an effective approach for optimizing the electrical properties of organic conjugated semiconductors for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Microplastics (MPs) are a priority environmental pollution issue worldwide due to their poor biodegradability and persistent contamination. Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the design of biopolymers as an alternative for the total or partial substitution of plastic materials that generate MPs. In this paper, new biodegradable terpolymers (BPAN) with starch (ST), chitosan (CS), acrylonitrile (AN), 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and vinyl acetate (VA) have been synthesized with different chemical properties using suspension polymerization initiated by sodium bisulfite/ammonium persulfate. The effect of polymerization conditions, concentration, and types of monomers on the characteristics of BPAN was analyzed. Cultured fungal and Burial test were used to test the biodegradability of a selected BPAN. Biodegradable fiber (BioF) from a BPAN was obtained by wet-spinning and used for the fabrication of geotextiles. The effective use of the geotextiles, on radish plant growth and soil moisture retention, was examined. The results showed that the polymerization system AN-HEMA-ST base provides good polymer conversion rate, high molecular weight, high moisture retention, and high grafting efficiency. The biodegradation of a film from a selected BPAN was observed by changes in coloration and fragmentation of small particles after 150 days of Burial test. Functional group changes from FTIR analysis confirmed the degradation. Fungal growth after 13 days of observation on sprayed BPAN also confirmed biodegradability. In addition, biocompatibility was observed by root growth on the surface of the BPAN film. With the AN-HEMA-ST based BPAN, a fiber with a linear density of 10.7 denier, tensile strength of 2.88 MPa, 10.71% elongation, and 88% moisture retention could be obtained. The use of geotextile from BioF increased soil moisture retention by about 100%. Biometric analysis of radish plants showed that in pots with geotextile, there was an increase of 62.12% in leaf length, 39.78% in leaf width, and 81.73% in leaf stem thickness, concerning the control experiments. The technical orientation for the synthesis, processing, and application of bio-based materials are the basis for the generation of new and better alternatives for sustainable engineering, environmental care, and regeneration of soils affected by PMs.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile waste, which is resistant to degradation, contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Currently, traditional methods, such as high-temperature and high-pressure treatments, microwave heating, etc. exhibit low initial degradation rates for polyester fibers while also facing challenges such as high energy consumption, complex degradation products, and difficulties in subsequent reuse. Thus, research on efficient recycling and sustainable development of PET waste has become imperative. Here, we report a novel method to degrade PET fibers completely at low temperatures within 1 h. A synergistic hydrolysis system consisting of a deep eutectic solvent (ChCl–EG DES) composed of choline chloride and ethylene glycol, along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used to facilitate the highly efficient and complete degradation of polyester fibers under mild conditions. The degradation process can be conducted at temperature below 100 °C, achieving a degradation rate of up to 100%, with the degradation product being sodium terephthalate, which exhibits a high purity of 99.85% and can be directly reused as a raw material without complex treatments and purification steps. The degradation kinetic of polyester fibers fits first-order reaction, with an activation energy of 108.59 kJ/mol. Overall, this study provides a green, low-cost, and energy-saving strategy with practical application value for efficient degradation and recycling of polyester fibers.

The compatibility of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6) during melt-blending spinning plays a crucial role in ensuring good spinnability, while the drawing and fiber-splitting processes are key to forming ultrafine fibers. This study systematically investigates the Flory–Huggins interaction parameters between LDPE and PA6, as well as the fiber-splitting and drawing behaviors of unfigured sea–island composite fibers, with a focus on compatibility and fabrication techniques. The results reveal that the Flory–Huggins interaction parameters for LDPE and PA6 at different blend ratios are 0.0517 ± 0.0014, significantly exceeding the critical interaction threshold of 0.0091, indicating complete incompatibility between the two polymers. Through an in-depth analysis of the drawing process, it was found that after the drawing ratio of 4, the fiber fineness reached 3.7 dtex, with a fiber orientation of 78%, a breaking strength of 5.56 cN/dtex, and a breaking elongation of 41%. During the fiber-splitting process of LDPE/PA6 sea–island composite fibers, the optimal conditions were determined to be a splitting temperature of 90 °C, a splitting time of 60 min, and a degradation rate of 43%. Under these conditions, the composite fiber diameter significantly decreased from 27.04 μm to 0.85 μm. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing the manufacturing process and enhancing the performance of LDPE/PA6 composite fibers.

Matrine, a natural fungicide derived from legumes, exhibits significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Matrine-loaded agar microcapsules were synthesized utilizing the emulsification technique. Under conditions where the stirring speed was set at 10,000 rpm, the core-to-wall ratio was maintained at 1:5, and the emulsification temperature was established at 80 °C, the microcapsules exhibited a drug loading efficiency of 15.1% and an encapsulation efficiency of 75.6%. These microcapsules were subsequently affixed to cotton fibers using waterborne polyurethane, resulting in an antibacterial cotton fabric(Matrine@Agar/Cot) capable of inhibiting the proliferation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans to a significant degree. The warp breaking strength of Matrine@Agar/Cot decreased by 1%, the weft breaking strength decreased by 6.3%, and the air permeability decreased by 5%, while the mechanical strength and air permeability of the fabric remained largely unchanged. The antibacterial rates of Matrine@Agar/Cot against E. coli, S. aureus, and Candida albicans were 73.9%, 72.5%, and 80.0%, respectively. After 10 washing cycles, these rates decreased to 66.7%, 51.6%, and 59.5%, respectively. After 30 and 40 washes, Matrine@Agar/Cot could not produce an inhibitory effect on E.coli, S.aureus, and Candida albicans.

The utilization of biomass material-based fibers has emerged as a novel research frontier and application trajectory. In this study, we investigated the application of microwave and water bath heating in the biologic modification of wool fabric utilizing apple polyphenols, introducing a novel eco-friendly modification technique. The wool fabric was subjected to comprehensive analyses, including ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV–Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), for detection and characterization. Furthermore, the thermal stability and crystallinity of the fabric were explored through thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), while its elemental composition was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The assessment of the wool fabric’s including anti-ultraviolet, antioxidant, antibacterial, and wash durability properties was analyzed in this study. Notably, the results indicated a superior modification effect in wool fabrics pretreated with l-cysteine followed by water bath treatment. SEM and FT-IR examinations confirmed the successful grafting of apple polyphenols onto the fabric surface. The modified wool fabrics exhibited remarkable antibacterial properties, with an antibacterial rate of up to 99% against Staphylococcus aureus, and surpassed raw wool fabrics in antioxidant activities. Moreover, the modified fabric possessed exceptional anti-ultraviolet properties, with a UPF value reaching 119.31. Remarkably, the revised wool fabrics retained their antioxidant and anti-UV properties even post-washing, highlighting their outstanding wash resilience. Furthermore, the sequential application of microwave heating followed by water bath treatment enhanced the binding affinity between apple polyphenols and wool fibers, resulting in improved functional performance of the modified fabric. This study presents a pioneering approach to the application of apple polyphenols in the functionalization of wool fabric, opening new avenues for the utilization of biologic materials in textile dyeing processes.

In recent years, there has been increasing public concern about ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and clothing is considered to provide the most effective protection against it. In this study, the influence of aging and UVR on the antibacterial properties and degree of coloration of knitted fabrics was investigated. Knitted fabrics of different raw materials compositions in single weaves made of three types of yarn: cotton (CO), bamboo (BAM), and polyester (PES), were used. Samples were treated with methanol extract of Achillea millefolium L. conc. 100 mg/mL, to which citric acid and tannic acid were added, using ultrasonic atomization. Using an ultrasonic atomizer increased the speed of dyeing, shortened the processing time and allowed the use of a smaller amount of extract compared to conventional dyeing. The antibacterial properties of knitted fabrics obtained against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were evaluated. The tests of antibacterial properties and color strenght (K/S) of knitted fabrics were done after dyeing, after aging (30 months), and after exposure to UV light with a wavelength of 254 nm and 365 nm. The antibacterial effect of knitted fabrics dyed with A. millefolium L. extract on S. aureus after natural aging and treatment with UV wavelength of 254 nm results in a reduction of the zone of inhibition ( Z i ) from 23% (BAM) to 57% (CO), compared to Z i after dyeing. Treatment of the samples with UV light with a wavelength of 365 nm increased the Z i against S. aureus, in PES knitted fabric was even higher than after dyeing, while there were no significant changes in E. coli. In CO and BAM knitted fabrics, after aging and exposure to UV radiation, high protection factors (UPF) were found, the values of which ranged from 31.38 to 51.68. Aging and exposure to UV light affect the degree of dyeing and color fastness, which are more pronounced in knitted fabrics made of cotton and bamboo fibers compared to polyester. In addition to the research of the impact of UVA radiation (365 nm), it was important to emphasize that research on UVC radiation (254 nm) was conducted to determine how the disinfection process affects the antibacterial properties of knitted fabric treated with A. millefolium extract.The results obtained from research into the stability of antibacterial treatment to aging and UV radiation represent a significant contribution to the research in the field of medical textiles and textiles intended for the production of clothing for allergic dermatitis. These findings highlight the importance of studying the effects of UV radiation and aging processes on the color fastness and antimicrobial properties of textile materials treated with herbal extracts. The developed materials can be used to protect people from UV radiation. In addition, to create sustainable textiles, future research should include different ways of preparing extracts from plant waste, especially from juice or wine production. The obtained extracts from plant waste would be used to develop innovative processes for antimicrobial dyeing and printing of textiles. In this way, products with improved color fastness and antimicrobial properties against UV radiation and aging could be obtained. The antimicrobial effect of textiles would be tested on a larger number of microorganisms. Depending on the obtained antimicrobial effect, textiles treated with herbal extracts could be used for various purposes, for the production of children’s toys, decorative pillows, sportswear and work clothes in hospitals.

This study presents the production of photothermal composite capsules using a newly developed method and their application to cotton fabric for the design of a fabric that exhibits both thermoregulation and UV protection properties. In this study, an environmentally friendly approach was adopted in the production of photothermal capsules and unlike the existing methods in the literature, the Pickering emulsion system was integrated into the complex coacervation method. The phase change material, a eutectic mixture of lauric acid and stearic acid, was encapsulated within a sodium alginate/copper (II) oxide (CuO) wall in three different ratios (1/0.5, 1/1 and 1/1.5). In microencapsulation, CuO nanoparticles were used as photothermal material both as Pickering stabilizers and wall structure polymer. Microcapsules with spherical morphology were found to store heat in the range of 99.1–118.7 J/g and have good thermal reliability. The photothermal performance of the capsules improved in direct proportion to the amount of CuO nanoparticles in the wall structure and the highest photothermal efficiency value with 96.97% efficiency was obtained in capsules with 1/1.5 S/CuO wall structure. Microcapsules with 1/1.5 S/CuO wall structure were fixed to cotton fabric at two different concentrations via the exhaustion method. The fabrics exhibited photothermal properties, reaching temperatures 5 °C higher than the untreated fabric during the same time period. The S/CuO walled microcapsules significantly improved the thermal conductivity of the fabrics. Besides, fabrics exhibited good UV protection with a 15 UPF value. In contrast, the bending rigidity and tear strength of the fabric were affected by the capsule application.