Nanoparticle ink modification of a polymer surface represents a method to apply unique catalytic or responsive behaviors to textiles.   However, incompatibility of the surface tension of many nanoparticle inks with that of the polymer surface energy results in non-uniform distribution of the nanoparticles throughout the fiber matrix.  Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is provided as a bridging technology to broaden nanoparticle distribution on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers.  After 50 cycles of low temperature ALD alumina surface modification of a hydrophobic surface, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), surface energy is increased by 50 dynes/cm to produce a hydrophilic surface.  Aqueous-based nanoparticle ink solutions wet the ALD modified fabrics, and uniformity was inspected using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS).  An ALD ZnO overcoat layer, which embeds the nanoparticles, results in a platform for enhanced optical absorption and luminescence of the fabric.   Ability to control the nanoparticle distribution is presented.

Enabling of nanoparticle application and function on the surface of fibrous textiles by atomic layer deposition

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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