Investigation of the properties of fabrics coated with different inorganic additives

To expand the applications of textile materials, the use of innovative methods to improve the surface properties of natural and synthetic fabrics has become inevitable. With the increasing energy consumption, energy efficiency and conservation have gained importance. For this reason, research has accelerated towards the development of functional products with superior properties, using alternative materials to traditional fillers (such as titanium dioxide, calcite, kaolin, etc.). Aerogels are used as adsorbents due to their high surface area and porosity, as insulation materials due to their low thermal conductivity, and in catalysts and sensor technologies due to their high surface-active area and pore size. Phase change materials (PCMs), on the other hand, are materials that exhibit heat storage and release properties. In this thesis, the aim is to produce energy-saving products for thermal insulation compared to traditional insulating materials by using very light materials like silica aerogels combined with phase change materials (PCMs), and to investigate alternative coating materials to halogenated flame retardant chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment, due to their flame-retardant properties, on the characteristics of polyester fabric. To achieve this goal, the effects of the aerogel's pore size, hydrophobic and hydrophilic structure, and concentration on the properties of polyester fabric coated with silica aerogel were investigated. Additionally, the use of silica aerogel in combination with phase change materials, its advantages based on different types of silica, and its synergistic effects with halogen-free flame-retardant materials were studied. Coating pastes were prepared using an acrylic binder and applied to the fabric using the knife coating method. The coated fabrics were tested for flame retardancy according to BS 5867-2 Part B, NF P92 503, 504, 505 standards, as well as for thermal insulation and hydrophilicity. Additionally, the structural properties of the coatings were examined using FTIR and DSC analyses. In conclusion, it was observed that silica aerogels improved the thermal insulation, solar properties, hydrophilicity, and flame-retardant properties of the coatings compared to pyrogenic silica and synthetic silica. Moreover, the use of silica aerogels in combination with phase change materials significantly enhanced thermal insulation and flame-retardant performance. These findings suggest that silica aerogels can play a crucial role in developing more efficient energy systems and achieving environmental sustainability goals.