Using bulk properties ofrnUV-polymerized thin layersrnfor fiber modification

摘要

The surface properties of fibers can be regarded as instrumental toward innovative functional textiles as applied inrnmany high-end industries. Accordingly, not only the modification of surface chemistry, but also of the physical andrnmorphological properties is an important objective in modern materials science and technology. Besides otherrnpowerful chemical and physical techniques, UV-induced graft copolymerization and photopolymerization arerninteresting ways to improve or introduce surface functionalities of the fiber. While the majority of reported workrnfocused on the surface of the deposited thin layer itself and its potential effect on – for example, wettability,rnadhesion, protein adsorption and microbial activity, this paper reviews earlier studies by the authors which wererndevoted to bulk properties of these thin, less than 500-nm thick layers and the resulting effect on fiber properties.rnOne major factor is the high and controllable cross-linking of polymerized layers, which affects mechanical, thermalrnand chemical stability. This results in interesting applications as thin barrier coating in view of improved fiberrnstability in critical environments and stress conditions, examples of which are reported in this paper. A recentrnobservation is the effect of the controlled cross-linking on the mobility of monomers and electrical charges in thernthin layer, which could open an avenue toward thin-layer capacitors and energy storage on textiles.