In our current times branding is typical. People like brands. However, many branded products of higher value are facing the problem of counterfeiting, hence these products are more imitated and copied. Some copies are hard to be distinguished from originals at first glance and can only be recognised by an expert. Every manufacturer wants to protect their product and their brand. One of the options is to incorporate protective elements into the product, ones which would also not disturb the product or its visual impression. One of the solutions is, for example, the insertion of fibres with special pigments which are only visible under irradiation by light of a certain wavelength. The protective element can be applied either to the whole product or to a particular location or brand logo.
These special fibres must be made from material which must be resistant and suitable to form a mixture with special additives such as photoluminescent pigments. Polypropylene (PP) is very suitable for preparation of photoluminescent fibres. PP is one of the plastic materials most used. Polypropylene is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer with wide applications. PP has very good mechanical properties, it can be easily processed at low costs, and it is resistant to externalities. Due to its properties, it is suitable to be used as a polymer matrix for the preparation of fibres incorporating special pigments [1]. On the other hand, the resistance of polymers has a negative impact on the environment due to the growing production of polymers and subsequent accumulation of waste. The increasingly serious environmental problems require the replacement of synthetic polymers. As an alternative, biodegradable polymers and polymers from renewable sources can be applied. Biodegradable polymers can be defined as polymers that decompose into low-molecular products by the action of microorganisms and their enzymes. By combining the production of polymers from renewable sources and their biodegradability, the possibility of extending the lifecycle of plastic products has emerged [2,3,4,5,6].
Poly-(lactic) acid (PLA) is a highly universal, biodegradable, aliphatic polyester derived from 100% renewable resources. It is a thermoplastic polymer which may be partially crystalline or completely amorphous depending on the polymer backbone stereochemistry. It is characterised by low flammability and high strength, is colourless and colour-stable, as well as resistant to UV radiation [7]. PLA is a unique polymer which, in many ways, behaves like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) but also has many similarities to polypropylene (PP) [8]. Many published works deal with the dyeing of PLA threads [9,10,11,12,13,14]. PLA is a polyester of hydrophobic character because disperse dyes are used for their dyeing as well.
The incorporation of photoluminescent pigments represents a cost-acceptable solution for the protection of original products. Photoluminescence is a form of luminescent radiation where materials emit light of specific wavelengths [15]. Based on the time of radiation emissions, photoluminescence can be divided into fluorescence with a short luminescence decay time (a few nanoseconds) and phosphorescence, which has a long luminescence decay time (a few minutes or hours) [16]. Today, it is possible to prepare inorganic photoluminescent pigments which can emit light in a precisely defined pattern for the applications required [17]. Fluorescent dyes are used in various applications, such as in solar systems, lasers, LEDs and for the dyeing of textiles [18].
The most promising direction for providing the special properties of fibres for garments and fabrics is fibre modification with various additives or nanoadditives (surface modification and modification in the mass). Additives and nanoadditives are substances that in some way improve certain properties of another substance or mixture. One of the most widely used nanoadditives is currently halloysite (HNT). Halloysite has a high degree of biocompatibility and very low cytotoxicity and is therefore suitable for use in the textile, medical and agricultural industries [19]. Halloysite is natural hydrated aluminosilicate clay of hollow cylindrical geometry. Because of this structure, it is used as a carrier in most applications [20].
On the basis of the similarity of polypropylene and poly-(lactic) acid, these two polymers were selected as a matrix for special fibres containing photoluminescent dyes. As a dye, HNT modified with special photoluminescent dye inside its tube was applied. It is believed that the dye incorporated in halloysite could have greater stability in the fibre in terms of the colouristic characteristics together with a little change in mechanical properties. The use of unmodified and modified halloysite with photoluminescent dyes can be very significant in terms of the development of new functional polymeric nanocomposite fibres.
The aim of this study was to observe the structure, mechanical and colourimetric properties of PP and PLA fibres modified with photoluminescent dye and HNT modified with photoluminescent dye. This paper also presents a comparison of PP and PLA fibres containing photoluminescent dye and HNT modified with photoluminescent dye regarding the stability after exposure to light.
In this paper, pure polypropylene TATREN HT 2511 (PP, produced by Slovnaft Co., Slovakia) prepared by Ziegler-Natta catalyst with the melt flow index MFI = 27.6 g/10 min, and poly-(lactid) acid INGEOTM Biopolymer 6202D (PLA, produced by NatureWorks LLC., USA) with MFI = 15–30 g/10 min. at 201°C were used for the preparation of PP and PLA fibres, respectively. Polymer fibres were dyed by photoluminescent dye only, or by HNT nanotubes modified with photoluminescent dye. Radglo CFF-X-02 UV Blue (CF, produced by Radiant Colour NV, Belgium) was applied as an ultra-violet responsive fluorescent dye. Fluorescent nanotubes (HNTCF) were prepared using halloysite (HNT, Aldrich Chemistry, product USA) Al2Si2O5(OH)4·2 H2O nanotubes with a molecular weight of 294.19 g·mol−1, diameter of 30–70 nm and length of 1–3 μm.
Halloysite is an inorganic nanoadditive consisting of one-dimensional long nanotubes or fibrous crystals. Their structure allows modification by special additives (e.g. photoluminescent dyes) into nanotubes. Dissolved Radglo CFF-X-02 UV Blue (CF) dye was added to the activated HNT. After the dye absorption, the modified HNT was dried.
The modification of HNT with CF was confirmed by ATR-FTIR analysis. In the FTIR spectrum of PP modified by HNTCF was observed an absorption band at 1035 cm−1, which corresponds to the Si–O stretching band of halloysite nanotubes (
The PP and PLA fibres modified with CF and modified HNTCF dye were prepared in two steps – the preparation of masterbatches (PP/CF and PP/HNTCF as well as PLA/CF and PLA/HNTCF) and that of modified fibres. Masterbatches with an optimal concentration of additives (CF, HNTCF) in PP and PLA and the required filterability were prepared using a laboratory twin-screw extruder - Werner-Pfleiderer with a screw diameter of 28 mm, at a constant screw rotation speed of 250 min−1. The extrudate was then cooled and pelletised.
The pellets of PP or PLA masterbatches were mechanically mixed with pure PP or PLA so that PP/CF, PP/HNTCF, PLA/CF and PLA/HNTCF mixtures with the required concentration (0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.3 wt %) of CF dyes or the modified HNTCF additive were obtained. These mixtures were further used to produce fibres.
PP fibres dyed in mass were prepared from individual mixtures of the PP and PP masterbatch using a laboratory line with a single screw extruder having a diameter of 32.0 mm, with a spinning nozzle of 2x25 holes of 0.3 mm diameter, at a spinning temperature of 220°C and final spinning process speed of 1500 m.min−1. The fibres prepared were drawn at a drawing ratio of λ=2.0, at a drawing temperature of 130°C and final drawing process speed of 100 m·min−1.
PLA fibres dyed in mass were prepared from individual mixtures of PLA and PLA masterbatch using a laboratory line with a single screw extruder having a diameter of 32.0 mm, with a spinning nozzle array containing 2x25 holes of 0.3 mm diameter, at a spinning temperature of 210°C, and final spinning process speed of 1500 m·min−1. The fibres prepared were drawn at a drawing ratio λ=2.0 and at a drawing temperature of 80°C.
From the PP/CF, PP/HNTCF, PLA/CF and PLA/HNTCF fibres prepared, knitted fabrics were prepared on a knitting machine by a classic technique.
“Light aging in the Q-SUN Xenon test chamber Xe-1-S (Q-Lab, Inc. Cleveland, OH, USA) was performed under the following conditions: window glass filter, blackbody temperature - 65 °C; irradiance - 420 nm 1.1 W·m−2; E = 89 000 lx; irradiance in the region 300–800 nm 494 W m−2, ageing time - 72 h.
The orientation degree of polymer chains in the fibre characterises the level of anisotropy of oriented polymers e.g. fibre. One of methods for determination of the orientation degree is the measurement of fibre birefringence (Δn) by the compensation method. The refractive indexes of light in the fibre axis as well as in the perpendicular direction of fibre were determined. From these values the fibre birefringence was calculated according to the equation (1):
The sound speed in substances depends on their internal structure arrangement. A higher arrangement of the substance structure gives a higher sound speed. It is used for determination of the level of fibre anisotropy characterising the supramolecular structure of fibres. The sound speed in fibres is obtained from the ratio of fibre length and the time needed for the transfer of acoustic nodes across this length (named
The sound speed in dyed PP and PLA fibres was measured by a Dynamic Modulus Tester PPMSR (USA).
The mechanical properties are represented by the tenacity at break - σ, elongation at break - ɛ and Young¢s modulus – EY. The mechanical properties of dyed PP and PLA fibres were measured using Instron 3343 equipment (USA). Measuring conditions were a fibre length of 125 mm and clamping rate of 500 mm·min−1. The average of at least 10 individual measurements was used for each fibre. The mechanical characteristics (tenacity at break, Young’s modulus and elongation at break) were determined in accordance with Standard ISO 2062:1993.
The reflectance spectra in the UV-VIS region (200 – 800 nm) were measured by a spectrophotometer CECIL-CE-3055 (Cecil Instrument Limited, Cambrige, UK), using an integration sphere. Calibration was performed with the white Spectralon® standard.
The CIELAB system was used to evaluate the colourimetric coordinates (
The total colour difference
Luminescence properties were measured by an Aminco Bowman Series 2 spectrometer. The excitation light beam was at an angle of 20°, and the emission was recorded at - 70 °C from the surface normal. The band-pass of emission and excitation monochromator was set to 4 nm. The excitation and emission spectra were recorded for 6 repetitions at a speed of 20 nm·s−1. Emission spectra were measured at a wavelength corresponding to the maximum excitation, and vice versa. In order to compare the intensity of luminescence between samples, the voltage at the fotomultiplier was kept constant for all measurements.
A lot of products from the textile industry are imitated and copied. This causes financial losses and the possibility of using products with dangerous effects. One of the options for protecting products is incorporating fibres which after UV radiation are active. Our goal was the preparation of polypropylene and poly-(lactid) acid fibres dyed with photoluminescent dye and HNT modified with photoluminescent dye in mass with the required structure and mechanical and colour properties. It was necessary to compare the stability of the colour photoluminescent effect of the dye and dye incorporated in HNT used for the preparation of PP and PLA fibres.
In the first step we prepared undrawn PP and PLA fibres dyed with CF or HNTCF in the mass by classical discontinuous spinning from the melt at a spinning temperature of 220°C (PP) and 210°C (PLA) and final spinning process speed of 1500 m·min−1. The fibres prepared were drawn at a drawing ratio of λ=2.0, at a drawing temperature of 130°C (PP) and 80°C (PLA), and at a final drawing process speed of 100 m·min−1. The structure was observed based on the determination of the birefringence and sound speed and mechanical properties (tenacity and elongation at the break, Young¢s modulus) of the PP and PLA fibres prepared (
Dependences of fibre sound speed on the concentration of CF and HNTCF in the PP (a) and PLA (b) fibres dyed in mass
Dependences of fibre birefringence on the concentration of CF and HNTCF in the PP (a) and PLA (b) fibres dyed in mass
Dependences of tenacity at break s on the dye concentration of CF and HNTCF in PP (a) and PLA (b) fibres dyed in mass
Dependences of Young’s modulus EY on the dye concentration of CF and HNTCF in PP (a) and PLA (b) fibres dyed in mass
Dependences of elongation at break e on the dye concentration of CF and HNTCF in PP (a) and PLA (b) fibres dyed in mass
The speed of sound in the fibres and birefringence are presented in
From the results it can be concluded that at their lower content, the CF and HNTCF additives improve the oriented structure of the dyed PP fibres. Even if the fibre speed and birefringence of the dyed PP fibres with a higher content of additives decrease the level of orderliness of the structure of the dyed PP fibres, it does not fall below that of pure PP fibres (
Another situation can be observed in the case of PLA fibres (
Mechanical properties of PP and PLA fibres also differ in regard from types of additives, e.g. CF or HNTCF. Generally, additives of solid particles in the mass of oriented fibres make their tenacity at the break and elongation at break worse in comparison with pure PP or PLA fibres, as shown in
The tenacity at break of PP fibres with CF as well as HNTCF decreases in the full concentration range in comparison with the tenacity at break of pure PP fibres. The PP fibres with inorganic HNTCF particles have lower tenacity than the PP fibres with CF dye (
The improved oriented structure of PLA fibres with CF and HNTCF, characterised mainly by higher birefringence, did not show in the mechanical properties of these PLA fibres (
From the results of structure and mechanical properties obtained, it is possible to state that the PP and PLA fibres prepared with fluorescent dye CF and HNT modified with CF have the required properties and comply with the processability requirements of fibres in textile technology.
For evaluation of reflectance, colourimetric and fluorescent properties only knitted fabrics prepared from PP and PLA fibres with the addition of 0.2 wt % of CF and HNTCF were selected.
In order to determine the light stability of the samples prepared, they were subjected to accelerated aging in a Q-sun chamber for 72 hours. This time could not be extended as the material degraded, especially for PP, which was associated with the decomposition of the material (
The samples were characterised by colourimetry (
CIELab parameters (L, a, b) of PP and PLA knitted fabrics dyed in mass before (0 h) and after light ageing (72 h); (ΔEab)1 represents changes between non-coloured and coloured samples before aging and (ΔEab)2 represents changes due to aging
79.3 | 0.12 | −0.44 | 66.5 | −1.43 | −1.84 | 12.9 | ||
81.3 | 0.78 | −3.9 | 4.05 | 78.1 | −1.50 | 8.06 | 12.7 | |
80.3 | 0.2 | −0.9 | 1.1 | 75.3 | −1.14 | 5.87 | 8.5 | |
75.8 | −1.88 | −2.40 | 72.3 | −0.43 | −0.99 | 4.3 | ||
80.5 | 1.34 | −4.87 | 6.2 | 71.9 | 0.75 | −2.57 | 9.8 | |
80.1 | 1.01 | −3.7 | 5.3 | 65.5 | 0.93 | −2.17 | 14.7 |
Colourimetry and UV-VIS spectroscopy were used to evaluate the light stability of the samples. Significant changes in colour coordinates were observed during accelerated aging in the Q-sun chamber over 72 hours (see
Samples under visible (outdoor fields) and UV light (indoor fields)
Reflexion spectra of PP (a) and PLA (b) knitted fabrics without dye (not aged – black line, aged 72 h in the Q-sun chamber – gray line), with CF (not aged – blue line, aged 72 h in the Q-sun chamber – green line) and with CF and HNT (not aged – red line, aged 72 h in the Q-sun chamber – orange line)
Reflexion spectra of aged and non-aged samples were also measured (
Analysis of the luminescence spectra (
Emission (full lines) and excitation (dashed lines) spectra of PP (a) and PLA (b) knitted fabrics with CF (not aged – blue line, aged 72 h in the Q-sun chamber – green line) and with CF and HNT (not aged – red line, aged 72 h in the Q-sun chamber – orange line)
The change in luminescence properties complements the results obtained by the reflectance measurements mentioned above (
In the experimental work, PP and PLA fibres were modified either with photoluminescent dye or with HNT modified with photoluminescent dye. Their structure, mechanical and colouristic properties were investigated.
The photoluminescent dye and HNT modified with photoluminescent dye affected the structure of PP and PLA fibres differently. Increasing the content of HNT with photoluminescent dye up to 0.15 % in PP fibres increased the sound speed and birefringence, but a higher content of HNT with photoluminescent dye in PP fibres caused a decrease in these parameters. The growth of photoluminescent dye content in PLA fibres increased the sound speed as well as the birefringence in the concentration area observed. The effect of HNT modified with photoluminescent dye on the birefringence was very low. The maintenance or mild loss of mechanical properties (tenacity at break, Young’s modulus EY, elongation) were observed in PP and PLA modified fibres, except for the tenacity or elongation of commercial PP fibres.
Compared to PP, PLA-based knitted fabrics showed better light stability, where there was no visible degradation of the knitted fabric, only its darkening. Likewise, PLA-based knitted fabric showed luminescence in UV light even after accelerated aging for 72 h in the Q-sun chamber.
The addition of HNT modified with photoluminscent dye was not beneficial with respect to the light stability of the materials. In the case of PP, it contributed to a faster degradation of the material compared to PP dyed without HNTCF. In the case of PLA, the PLA samples dyed with HNTCF initially showed higher luminescence; however, after accelerated aging for 72 h, the luminescence decrease was more significant compared to the PLA samples without HNTCF.