Year

2004

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Department of Chemistry - Faculty of Science

Abstract

This thesis describes preparation and characterisation of a range of novel conducting polymer coated textiles, which have potential in applications such as static dissipation, EMI shielding, heating elements, composite structures and many military applications. Conducting polypyrrole coated textiles such as nylon Lycra and polyester fabrics have been synthesised using different approaches (Chapter 3). The present study concentrates on preparation of conducting polypyrrole coated textile using an in-situ polymerisation method. A range of characterisation techniques for the inherently conducting polymer (ICP) coated fabrics were used: the stability of the surface resistivity, cyclic voltammetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the PPy-coated nylon Lycra fabric could be used as a wearable strain gauge. The strain gauge characteristics have been investigated using both an Instron machine and a “SmartMotor”. The use of molecular templates to facilitate the polymerisation and the integration of inherently conducting polymers (ICPs) into textiles has been investigated (Chapter 4). Poly(2-methoxyaniline-5 sulfonic acid) or [PMAS] is a water-soluble, fully sulfonated polyaniline that has been used as molecular template. In the first step – “dyeing” of PMAS into the textile, the effect of fabric pre-treatment, solution pH as well as solution temperature have been investigated. In the second step the effects of the ratio of PMAS to aniline, the ratio of aniline to ammonium persulfate and the polymerisation temperature on the polymerisation reaction have also been studied. Characterisation of the templated polyaniline coated fabric prepared using the above “Two step” process has been undertaken (Chapter 4). The stability of the conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis spectra, SEM studies, TGA analysis and strain gauge characteristics have been determined. Results indicate that templated PAn-coated wool nylon Lycra can be used as the strain gauge as tested with either the Instron machine or “SmartMotor”. Conducting polymer coated textile fabrics are easily prepared and integrated into truly wearable clothing and garments to create strain sensors with a wide dynamic range. Functional wearable textile sensing systems can monitor human motion, provide immediate bio-feedback to the wearer without changing the properties and functions of the fabric material and with no interference to normal human body motion. This innovative technique can be widely used for injury prevention, rehabilitation, sport technique modification and medical treatment. It will have a number of further potential applications to be used for daily living, work and recreation in the future.

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.