| Summary: | The textile industry faces sustainability challenges, including premature clothing disposal and microplastic pollution. Fabric care products play a vital role in extending garment lifespan, with biologically derived formulations showing promise. However, the understanding of their mechanisms of action remains limited.
Surface analytical techniques, including atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Raman spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements (WCA) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF and OrbiSIMS), were employed to investigate surface morphology, fabric chemical changes, and the potential mode of action of these products.
Initial studies with AFM revealed morphological changes, albeit with limitations in nanomechanical property measurements. SEM provided insights into topographical challenges and potential fibre damage. DMA demonstrated reduced inter-fibre friction upon biomolecule exposure. Raman spectroscopy showed no evid nce of new covalent bonding, while SIMS identified ubiquitous biomolecule deposition and fabric dependent permeation. WCA analysis demonstrated an increase in surface free energy and hydrophilicity.
Consumer wash cycle samples analysed with OrbiSIMS highlighted biomolecule presence post-washing, offering insights into formulation efficacy. Structure-activity relationship investigations explored biomolecule variations and their impact on strength of adsorption, permeation and mechanical properties.
Formulation development efforts included evaluating existing and novel biomolecule variants for their fabric care properties. Insights gleaned from these experiments shed light on biomolecule-fabric interactions and offer avenues for further research. Addressing these challenges could lead to the development of more effective and sustainable fabric care solutions, contributing to a greener textile industry.
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