In this work, 3D porous electrospun scaffolds based on DegraPol^® (DP), a polyester urethane, with different concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) (0.0–2.0 wt%) were obtained. In order to produce scaffolds with increased porosity, solutions of DP and GO were co-electrospun with polyethylene oxide (PEO), which was subsequently removed. The electrospinning resulted in the formation of porous and fibrous scaffolds with superior elasticity. The colloidal Ag was successfully used as a novel method of scaffold sterilization. The results of the in vivo analysis showed scaffold degradation, absence of an inflammatory process and penetration of tissue cells in the scaffold.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely affected the textile and apparel industry. Besides the negative impact due to supply chain disruptions, drop in demand, liquidity problems, and overstocking, this pandemic was found to be a window of opportunity since it accelerated the ongoing digitalization trends and the use of functional materials in the textile industry. This review paper covers the development of smart and advanced textiles that emerged as a response to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2. We extensively cover the advancements in developing smart textiles that enable monitoring and sensing through electrospun nanofibers and nanogenerators. Additionally, we focus on improving medical textiles mainly through enhanced antiviral capabilities, which play a crucial role in pandemic prevention, protection, and control. We summarize the challenges that arise from personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal and finally give an overview of new smart textile-based products that emerged in the markets related to the control and spread reduction of SARS-CoV-2.

Focusing on application aspects of the rubber nanocomposites and the production and testing of industrial-sized samples, this study was performed in two phases. First, natural rubber (NR)/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites containing 2–14 phr OMMT were prepared on a laboratory-sized two-roll mill. The vulcanization behavior and mechanical properties of NR/OMMT composites were compared with a referent NR compound containing 60 phr carbon black (N330) as a reinforcing filler. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed a predominant intercalated structure for all OMMT nanocomposites. As a result, the organoclay behaved as an effective reinforcement for NR, even at loadings as low as 2 phr. This nanocomposite exhibited an improvement in tensile strength of 29% and in elongation at break of 61% in comparison with the referent NR/N330 compound. With the estimated optimal filler content, in the second phase, bulk NR/OMMT-5/steel samples were successfully produced for dynamic testing. The dynamic moduli were investigated by the method of forced vibrations. Compared to the NR/N 330 samples, NR/OMMT-5 samples showed improved hysteresis, with very low dissipating energy per cycle and significantly reduced Mullins effect.

A successful optimization of the electrospinning parameters for obtainment of biodegradable polyester urethane (DP) webs of fibers, neat and graphene oxide (GO) modified, was performed. The effect of the processing parameters (distance between the needle tip and the collector, applied voltage, and flowing rate), solution type and polymer concentration, on the fiber-forming process and the obtained fibers’ morphology was examined. The best homogeneity of the fibers was achieved for 12 wt% DP dissolved in 80:20 wt% mixture of chloroform and ethanol, applying similar processing parameters for the neat and modified samples (0.5 ml/h pumping rate, 15 kV applied voltage, and 150 mm distance to the collector, for the neat sample, and 0.4 ml/h, 18 kV, and 110 mm, for the GO modified samples). The main novelty of this work is the modification of DP with low quantities (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt%) of GO – the “next generation” nanomaterial for stem cell control. The morphological characterization revealed a fibrous microstructure consisting of randomly oriented fibers with a diameters ranging from hundreds nanometers to couple micrometers, representing a feasible imitation of the structure of extracellular matrix (ECM). The XRD studies showed high dispersion of GO in DP matrix and even exfoliation for the sample that contains 2 wt% GO. Raman studies neatly complemented the highest filler/matrix interactions and the superior levels of dispersion for this sample. TGA was used to analyze the thermo-oxidative degradation and also to determine the actual content of GO present in the samples.

As an emerging technology, smart textiles can bring solutions to many problems, but also create new ones, especially related to their disposal and their impact on the environment. That is why it is important to address this problem at this stage of technological development when smart textiles have not yet pervaded the mass markets. In this article, first, an attempt is made to understand the chronological development of smart textiles: the reasons for a weak breakthrough in the commercial markets throughout the decades, starting from the 1990s until today, but also the emergence of new driving forces that should inevitably lead to a bright future for smart textiles. In addition, we explore the contemporary possibilities for sustainable materials, manufacturing techniques, and end-of-life solutions for developing sustainable smart textiles based on a broad literature review, online sources, and a questionnaire survey among textile experts. Finally, an overview of the latest developments related to the standardization of smart textiles is given. This research was spurred by participation in CONTEXT COST Action (CA17107 - European Network to connect research and innovation efforts on advanced Smart Textiles).