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Abstract The rapid development in agriculture and industrial sectors has raised some serious global issues like heavy metals pollution of water resources. Cadmium (Cd) is amongst the major water pollutants worldwide. In this study, two novel sorbents were prepared by using post-consumer textile waste (PCTW). The waste denim fabric was recycled with environmentally friendly H2O2 and Ozone through oxidation under alkaline conditions to produce several functional groups at the surface (named as ODF@H202 and ODF@03 respectively) that could trap the heavy metal cations from contaminated water. The functionalized fabric sorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) that revealed the presence of carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and amine functional groups on their surfaces. The sorption isotherm, sorption kinetics and sorption thermodynamics were carried out to unravel the sorption process mechanism. The ODF@H202 sorbent was proved more effective by giving maximum adsorption capacity of (238.09 mg g−1) compared to Ozone treatment (175.44 mg g−1) for Cd2+ and achieved within just 20 min for both sorbents. Pseudo 2nd order and Langmuir models confirmed the chemosorption as dominant mechanism for the monolayer sorption of Cd2+ ions onto ODF@H202 and ODF@03. The sorption thermodynamic revealed the sorption process as endothermic and spontaneous in nature. The results showed that both ODF@H202 and ODF@03 sorbents have an efficient potential for sorbing Cd from contaminated water. Furthermore, both ODF@H202 and ODF@03 sorbents were also tested in a regeneration study to investigate the reuse of these sorbents, and we achieved marvelous results. Both sorbents gave up to 90% of the sorption capacity even after 10 recycles. Conclusively, both sorbents can have their implications for the preparation of filters that can be used for the treatment of wastewater. This study has practical significance by tackling the two environmental problems i.e. heavy metal pollution and denim waste.

The utilization of denim dates back to ancient times, and still, it is one of the most utilized fabrics around the globe. Special considerations are given to its fading effects. There are many ways for the said fading associated with pros and cons. The laser fading process is a competitive alternative compared to the conventional physical and chemical methods used for getting the aged and worn look on denim fabrics concerning environmental load. This paper critically reviews the laser-based fading of denim fabrics, its effect on physical, mechanical properties, and fading as it influences the material’s appearance, comfort, and life. Furthermore, the key features of laser fading, the influence of various laser parameters on the final physio-mechanical properties, and color fading of denim have been discussed in detail with the recent literature. Laser fading is a more sustainable and green choice.

Garment washing of denim fabrics is essential for fading of color, aesthetic effects, vintage look and improvement in handle properties of resulting garments. Denim fabrics of two types, one standard fabric (non-stretch) and other with 2% elastane fiber (stretch), are washed with different industrial washing techniques on Tonello sampling machine. The objective evaluation of handle and mechanical properties of the washed samples are carried out on Kawabata evaluation system (KES-F). Five main characteristics of fabrics are evaluated on KES-F system. The mechanical properties like tensile energy, extensibility and compression energy have increased for both stretch and non-stretch fabrics, while bending stiffness and bending hysteresis have decreased for both types of washed fabrics. The geometrical surface roughness and coefficient of friction have slightly increased after employed washing techniques. The optical microscope is used to investigate the surface changes of the fabric after the employed washing techniques.

Textile-based photocatalysts are the new materials that can be utilized as an effective sustainable solution for biochemical hazards. Hence, we aimed to develop a sustainable, cost-effective, and facile approach for the fabrication of photocatalytic fabric using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and ferric-based multifunctional nanocomposite. Bulk g-C3N4 was prepared from urea by heating it at 500 °C for 2 h. The structure of ball-milled g-C3N4 was engineered by doping with various amounts of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate solution (0.006 mol/L) and sintered at 90 °C for 24 h to prepare g-C3N4–nanosheets/α-Fe2O3 composites. These nanocomposites have potential avenues towards rational designing of g-C3N4 for improved photocatalytic, antibacterial, and antiviral behavior. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized for its surface morphology, chemical composition, crystal structure, catalytic, antibacterial, and antiviral behavior. The fabrication of ferric doped g-C3N4 nanocomposites was characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, and XRD analysis. The coated fabric nanocomposite was characterized for methylene blue dye degradation under visible light, antibacterial and antiviral behavior. The developed textile-based photocatalyst has been found with very good recyclability with photocatalytic degradation of dye up to 99.9 % when compared to conventional g-C3N4 powder-based photocatalyst.

Textile finishing is the last stage to improve fabric aesthetic characteristic and impart functional properties, but at the same time it can produce some undesirable effects like shade change and variation in mechanical properties of fabric. These shade variations are undesirable and create major losses for the textile industry. These losses are related to rework and reprocessing of dyed fabric after finishing. To cope this issue, dyers are making decision on trial and error bases, therefore, this work has been conducted to quantify the shade change value. In this research work, an artificial intelligence-based system is developed to foresee the behavior of color before finishing. Color, shade percentage, finish type, finish concentration, and 31 reflectance values in the visible range 400–700 nm were selected as input for the training of artificial neural networks. The five networks were trained individually for the Δ color coordinates (△L, △a, △b, △C and △h). The networks were tested and cross-validated with 85% accuracy. The developed models were executed for the predictions of △L, △a, △b, △C, and △h with mean absolute errors 0.0765, 0.0869, 0.1528, 0.0829 and 0.1626, respectively. Mean absolute error values are showing a close correlation between actual and predicted values.

Agriculture and textiles have the highest production yields among all sectors to meet mankind’s basic needs, i.e., feeding and clothing; however, they are top contributors to environmental pollution and global waste generation. Their wastes and byproducts are precious organic materials, they have great potential as raw materials for the manufacturing of valuable products. This review sheds light on various textile and agricultural wastes, waste management issues, and their existing utilization. Current waste processing methods are mostly based on waste-to-energy routes or material reclamation; however, both methods are hazardous for the environment and are inefficient. During the past decade, many researchers have utilized agriculture and textile wastes in the fabrication of composites. Textile and agricultural wastes and byproducts can be efficiently used for composite fabrication and can be suitable alternatives to existing raw materials. Using textiles and agricultural wastes for composite manufacturing can not only address waste management issues and replace non-eco-friendly materials in the composite industry but also significantly improve composite properties.

This paper is focused on the development of novel 3D woven flax composites for improved mechanical performance. The 3D woven interlock fabrics were produced on dobby loom using novel weaving patterns, with variation in binding point density (four different levels). These fabric structures were then used to fabricate composites with green epoxy resin as a matrix. Tensile, flexural, short beam shear, impact (pendulum and drop weight) and compression after impact properties were characterized. It was found that 3D woven composites having higher binding point density showed overall improved mechanical behavior, i.e. the out-of-plane properties were enhanced whereas in-plane properties are either reduced or unaffected.

Improvement in the performance and compatibility of face masks has remained the focus of researchers in recent years, especially after the emergence of the COVID pandemic. Although a lot of progress in the design, tolerability, and comfort of the mask has been reported, there are certain limitations, requiring further improvement. The present review aims to highlight the filtration efficacy, comfort, and associated characteristic of various types of face masks and respirators as a function of their design and structure. In addition, the air pollutants, their adverse effects on health, certified respirators, and face masks are also discussed. The present review also provides an insight into different types of commercially available face masks in terms of their materials, filtration efficiency, and limitations. The role of emerging trends (such as nanotechnology and high-performance polymers) in the improvement and development of face masks and respirators is also discussed.

The increasing demand of cotton and low production rate to fulfill the world requirements boosted the production of regenerated cellulose-based fibers. The purpose of this work was to compare the performance and comfort properties of regenerated cellulose fibers. For this purpose, cotton, viscose, modal, bamboo, and viscose fibers were taken. The pure blends of each fiber and 50:50 blends of modal blended with cotton fiber and regenerated fibers were taken. Normal yarn of count 20 tex was made and then plain woven fabrics were prepared. The warp-wise and weft-wise tensile and tear strengths were recorded. In addition, tests of air permeability, moisture management, thermal resistance test, and water vapor permeability were executed. It is found that the 100% modal fabrics give higher mechanical and comfort properties. In case of blends, modal:viscose (50:50) gives higher mechanical and comfort properties in woven fabrics.

In this study, we developed multifunctional and durable textile sensors. The fabrics were coated with metal in two steps. At first, pretreatment of fabric was performed, and then copper and silver particles were coated by the chemical reduction method. Hence, the absorbance/adherence of metal was confirmed by the deposition of particles on microfibers. The particles filled the micro spaces between the fibers and made the continuous network to facilitate the electrical conduction. Secondly, further electroplating of the metal was performed to make the compact layer on the particle- coated fabric. The fabrics were analyzed against electrical resistivity and electromagnetic shielding over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 1500 MHz. The presence of metal coating was confirmed from the surface microstructure of coated fabric samples examined by scanning electron microscopy, EDS, and XRD tests. For optimized plating parameters, the minimum surface resistivity of 67 Ω, EMI shielding of 66 dB and Ohmic heating of 118 °C at 10 V was observed. It was found that EMI SH was increased with an increase in the deposition rate of the metal. Furthermore, towards the end, the durability of conductive textiles was observed against severe washing. It was observed that even after severe washing there was an insignificant increase in electrical resistivity and good retention of the metal coating, as was also proven with SEM images.

Nanomaterial and its application in textiles are emerging as vast and diverse field due to enhanced functionalized characteristics. This study emphasizes the fabrication of tungsten trioxide nanostructured rods and analyzes its electrostatic and ultraviolet resistance properties. These nanorods are synthesized by hydrothermal method. Through hydrothermal method rod like nanostructures were grown on polyester fabric as it withstands curing temperature easily. The growth mechanism of the film is investigated. Electrostatic analysis of treated polyester fabric was failed but the analysis of seeded solution revealed that it has tunable transmittance modulation under different voltages and repetitive cyclic between the clear and blue states. Ultraviolet resistance of 100% seeded polyester fabric was higher than untreated fabric with respect to increasing concentration of nanorods. Results show that although the seeded solution is perfect, the conductivity of tungsten trioxide cannot be achieved on textiles.