• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.122-129
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• 2012

To develop a waterproof breathable material, we fabricated three kinds of nanofiber web laminates using a massproduced electrospun nanofiber web with different substrates and layer structures. The waterproofness and breathability of nanofiber web laminates were evaluated after repeated launderings and compared with those of conventional waterproof breathable fabrics currently in use, including densely woven fabric, microporous membrane laminated fabric, and coated fabric. The durability of nanofiber web laminates, including adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and tearing strength, was also assessed and compared with those of conventional waterproof breathable fabrics. The water vapor transmission of nanofiber web laminates increased slightly after repeated launderings, whereas the air permeability somewhat decreased after launderings but still maintained an acceptable level of air permeability. Laundering reduced the resistance to water penetration of nanofiber web laminates, which implies that laminating techniques or substrate materials that could support waterproofness of the laminated structure should be explored. The adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and tearing strength of nanofiber web laminates were in a range comparable to conventional waterproof breathable materials.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.153-156
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• 2005

Nondestructive sensing of electrospun PYDF web and multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy composites were investigated using electro-micromechanical technique. Electrospinning is a technique used to produce micron to submicron diameter polymeric fibers. Electrospun PVDF web was also evaluated for the sensing properties by micromechanical test and by measurement electrical resistance. CNT composite was especially prepared for high volume contents, 50 vol% of reinforcement. Electrical contact resistivity on humidity sensing was a good indicator for monitoring as for multifunctional applications. Work of adhesion using contact angle measurement was studied to correlate acid-base surface energy between carbon fiber and CNF composites, and will study furher for interfacial adhesion force by micromechanical test.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.59-62
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• 2003

최근 나노기술에 대한 폭발적인 관심과 함께 전기방사기술은 나노섬유를 제조할 수 있는 강력한 수단을 평가되고 있으며, 지금까지 거의 3종류 이상의 고분자들에 대한 나노섬유가 제조되었다. 또한, 나노섬유기술은 전통적인 섬유분야를 초월하여 매우 다양한 산업분야에 응용가능성이 있다. 따라서 다양한 분야에서 나노섬유를 활용하는 응용연구가 보다 활성화되어야 할 것이다.

• Composites Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.21-26
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• 2005

Nondestructive damage sensing and load transfer mechanisms of carbon nanotube (CNT) and nanofiber (CNF)/epoxy composites have been investigated by using electro-micromechanical technique. The electrospun PVDF nanofibers were also prepared as a piezoelectric sensor. The electro-micromechanical techniques were applied to evaluate sensing response of carbon nanocomposites by measuring electrical resistance under an uniform cyclic loading. Composites with higher volume content of CNT showed significantly higher tensile properties than neat and low volume$\%$ CNT composites. CNT composites showed humidity sensing within limited temperature range. CNT composites with smaller aspect ratio showed higher apparent modulus due to high volume content in case of shorter aspect ratio. Thermal treated electrospun PVDF nanofiber showed higher mechanical properties than the untreated case due to crystallinity increase, whereas load sensing decreased in heat treated case. Electrospun PVDF nanofiber web also showed sensing effect on humidity and temperature as well as stress transferring. Nanocomposites and electrospun PVDF nanofiber web can be applicable for sensing application.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.196-201
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• 2012

Electrospinning is a versatile process used to prepare micro or nano sized fibers from various materials dissolved in volatile solvents. This study reports electrospun pullulan fibrous webs fabricated through electrospinning using water as a solvent. The electrospinning conditions such as pullulan (PUL) concentration and applied voltage were optimized in order to obtain smooth electrospun fibers. The concentration of PUL greatly influenced the viscosity and surface tension of PUL solution. PUL beaded electrospun fibers were obtained from PUL solutions with concentrations lower than 5 wt%, while homogenous electrospun fibers were prepared from solutions with high concentration and high viscosity. The average diameters of PUL fibers were decreased to 200 nm when the polymer concentration was kept at 10 wt% and the applied voltage was fixed at 15 kV during electrospinning. PUL electrospun fiber exhibited higher solubility, flexibility, softness and adhesive strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1767-1778
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• 2010

This study investigates applying $TiO_2$ (titanium dioxide) nanoparticles to polypropylene nonwoven fabrics via electrospinning for the development of UV-protective materials. To fabricate uniform nanocomposite fibers, three types of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were applied: powder, colloid, and $TiO_2$ coated polymer pellets. $TiO_2$/polyurethane (PU) and $TiO_2$/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite fibers were electrospun and the morphology was examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Layered fabric systems with electrospun $TiO_2$ nanocomposite fiber webs were developed at various concentrations of $TiO_2$ in a range of the web area density. The effects of $TiO_2$ concentration and web area density on UV-protective properties were examined. When $TiO_2$ colloid was added into a PVA polymer solution, uniform nanocomposite fiber webs in which $TiO_2$ particles were evenly dispersed were produced. Water-soluble PVA nanofiber webs were given a heat treatment to stabilize the electrospun PVA fibrous structure against dissolution in water. $TiO_2$/PVA nanoeomposite fiber webs with 2wt% $TiO_2$ and 3.0g/$m^2$ web area density exhibited an ultraviolet protection factor of greater than 50, indicating excellent UV protection.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.274-281
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• 2009

Nylon 6 and nylon elastomer were prepared by anionic polymerization route. Nylon elastomers, composed of hard segment of polyamide(PA) and soft segment of polyether(PE), were synthesized by use of TDI terminated polyol with caprolactam. The morphology of the electrospun webs of nylon and nylon elastomers, observed by FE-SEM, showed that the porous electrospun web was composed of nanofibers, whose diameter were in the range of 100 to 180 nm. Their behavior of melting and crystallization and the chemical structure of nylon elastomers were investigated by DSC and ATR FT-IR. Result of tensile testing indicated that nylon has higher tensile strength and lower elongation than nylon elastomers. Atmospheric plasma(APP) with $O_2$ and $N_2$ as reactive gas modified the surface of electrospun nylon and electrospun nylon elastomers allowing them higher hydrophilicity, while APP with $CH_4$ as reactive gas modified the surface of polymers allowing higher hydrophobicity.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2005

Oxidation method was used to extract S-keratose from wool. Wool was treated with performic acid and soluble fraction(S-keratose) was collected by evaporating the solvent. S-keratose and Nylon 6 were dissolved in formic acid at the ratio of 100/0, 80/20, 50/50, 20/80, and 0/100, and S-keratose/Nylon 6 web of sub-micron size was made by electro-spinning technique. SEM, EA, FT-IR, XRD, and TGA were used to characterize the properties of S-keratose/Nylon 6 solutions and electrospun fibers. As the Nylon 6 content increased, viscosity, conductivity of the electrospinning solution and the diameter of spun fiber increased. Electrospun nonwoven webs have the same S-keratose/Nylon 6 ratios of the spinning solutions. The crystalline structures of S-keratose and Nylon 6 existed separately in the electrospun webs. Thermal stability of the webs increased due to Nylon 6 content.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2012

Cellulose was electrospun over water collector and the cellulose solution was prepared using N-methyl-morpholine N-oxide/water(nNMMO/$H_2O$). The morphology of electrospun cellulose was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed that the fiber formation depended on processing parameters such as solution concentration, applied electric field strength, solution feeding rate and temperature of water in coagulation bath. High concentration, low temperature of water bath, and low feeding rate were more favorable to obtain fiber morphology. All the variables affected on the fluidity of the cellulose solution and diffusion of NMMO. Low fluidity and fast diffuision of NMMO was critical for obtaining fiber morphology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1297-1308
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• 2011

This research investigates the application of ZnO (zinc oxide) nanoparticles and $TiO_2$ (titanium dioxide) nanoparticles to polypropylene nonwoven fabrics via an electrospinning technique for the development of textile materials that can decompose harmful gases. To fabricate uniform ZnO nanocomposite fibers, two types of ZnO nanoparticles were applied. Colloidal $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were chosen to fabricate $TiO_2$ nano- composite fibers. ZnO/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and $TiO_2$/PVA nanocomposite fibers were electrospun under a variety of conditions that include various feed rates, electric voltages, and capillary diameters. The morphology of electrospun nanocomposite fibers was examined with a field-emission scanning electron micro- scope and a transmission electron microscope. Decomposition efficiency of gaseous materials (formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, benzene, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide) by nanocomposite fiber webs with 3wt% nano-particles (ZnO or $TiO_2$) and 7$g/m^2$ web area density was assessed. This study shows that ZnO nanoparticles in colloid were more suitable for fabricating nanocomposite fibers in which nanoparticles are evenly dispersed than in powder. A heat treatment was applied to water-soluble PVA nanofiber webs in order to stabilize the electrospun nanocomposite fibrous structure against dissolution in water. ZnO/PVA and $TiO_2$/PVA nanofiber webs exhibited a range of degradation efficiency for different types of gases. For nitrogen dioxide, the degradation efficiency was 92.2% for ZnO nanocomposite fiber web and 87% for $TiO_2$ nanocomposite fiber web after 20 hours of UV light irradiation. The results indicate that ZnO/PVA and $TiO_2$/PVA nano- composite fiber webs have possible uses in functional textiles that can decompose harmful gases.