Bio-based epoxy resin/carbon nanotube coatings applied on cotton fabrics for smart wearable systems

Abstract

Electroactive coatings for smart wearable textiles based on a furan bio-epoxy monomer (BOMF) crosslinked with isophorone diamine (IPD) and additivated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reported herein. The effect of BOMF/IPD molar ratio on the curing reaction, as well as on the properties of the crosslinked resins was first assessed, and it was found that 1.5:1 BOMF/IPD molar ratio provided higher heat of reaction, glass transition temperature, and mechanical performance. The resin was then modified with CNT to prepare electrically conductive nanocomposite films, which exhibited conductivity values increased by eight orders of magnitude upon addition of 5 phr of CNTs. The epoxy/CNT nanocomposites were finally applied as coatings onto a cotton fabric to develop electrically conductive, hydrophobic and breathable textiles. Notably, the integration of CNTs imparted efficient and reversible electrothermal behavior to the cotton fabric, showcasing its potential application in smart and comfortable wearable electronic devices.