Sustainable and multifunctional natural fiber-based electric wire sheaths for smart textiles

Abstract

Envisioning the development of sustainable products for improvement of daily life quality, a cable-like composite using natural fibers was developed to be potentially used in smart textiles. Natural fibers such as jute and hemp were used along with Bekinox®VN yarn. Bekinox®VN is a stainless steel conductive yarn often used in intelligent textiles within a wide range of applications such as antistatic, power and signal transfer, thermal conductivity or even as a heat resistant sewing yarn. Furthermore, applying a chitosan coating on the surface of the sheath will confer antibacterial properties, thus preventing the colonization and proliferation of bacteria, as well as natural fiber degradation. The chitosan coating was applied by a pad dry method. Tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical, electrical and antimicrobial properties. The results displayed that the best tensile strength was obtained for hemp fabric followed by cable composite. The antimicrobial properties were improved with the coating of chitosan and demonstrating excellent results against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Although chitosan reduces the mechanical strength of the sheath, it confers antibacterial activity, which not only will preserve the fiber in the structure but will also protect human skin against possible cross-contaminations.