Investigation of the effect of carbon materials produced from waste cellulosic yarns on the comfort properties of viscose fabric

In the circular economy concept, wastes are considered raw material sources for new processes. Value-added products such as biocarbon and activated carbon are obtained from cellulosic textile wastes generated during production in textile industry as a result of carbonization, which is one of the thermal conversion methods. Within the scope of this study, biocarbon was produced by the carbonization process applied to viscose yarn wastes at 600oC and activated carbon was produced by the chemical activation method at 600oC. In addition to the produced carbonaceous materials, commercial activated carbon was also used for comparison purposes. Moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon contents of all carbonaceous materials were determined and instrumental techniques were used for their characterization. Carbonaceous materials with particle size less than 25 µm were applied to the fabric by dip and dry method. The characterization of the coated fabrics using dipping solutions prepared at different concentrations was performed. In order to examine the effect of carbon coating on the comfort properties of fabrics, thermal conductivity coefficient, immersion, and water drop tests were applied to the fabrics. When examined from a thermal point of view, it was determined that biocarbon and activated carbon decreased the thermal conductivity coefficient of viscose fabric together with the binding chemical, while commercial activated carbon increased it. As a result of the water tests, it was seen that carbon-coated fabrics were more hydrophobic than viscose fabric, and the best result was obtained with activated carbon-coated viscose fabric.