The purpose of the research discussed in this article is to explore the possibility of creating hybrid soft ballistic panel (BP) package variants by integrating into their composition layers of graphene-modified para-aramid fabrics in combinations with the different ballistic Kevlar textiles to improve the durability of the first layers of the soft ballistic panel. To address this goal, the liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) method was used for integrating dispersions into composites to solve a number of topical problems in the stages of the technological sequence development of processing methods and optimizing processing parameters in accordance with the processing specifics of aramid textiles to achieve the desired properties of modified ballistic fabric, including the provision of coating adhesion to the surface to be modified. To test the results, ballistic experiments were performed and the back-face signature (BFS) of bullet impact on a backing material was analysed according to standards. Bullet impacts on the first ballistic protective fabric layers were also studied.

In many smart textile development studies, sensors and electro-conductive yarns have been widely investigated and used as essential components, especially in the fields of medicine, sport, work wear, and special applications. Wearable sensors provide a means to monitor the wearer’s health through physiological measurements in a natural setting or are used to detect potential hazards and alert users and/or caretakers. The aim of the research is to develop a prototype of wearable electronics that consists of high-performance clothing with an integrated energy harvesting system for converting the mechanical energy of human movements into electrical energy. Within the framework of the research, a system for determining human physiological and/or environmental parameters and transmitting data was developed and integrated into clothing modified with sol–gel technology for indoor and outdoor use. Although the created flat inductive elements of the energy harvesting system retain their performance during the hydrothermal treatment process, at the same time, the other elements of the smart clothing system (especially electro-conductive yarns) rapidly lose their electrical conductivity. The modified knitwear provided a longer time between washing cycles to protect the embedded wearable electronics, and the impact of surface modification with sol–gel on wearing comfort was evaluated.

Since direct laser surface texturing of polymers is an emerging area, considerable attention is given to this technique with the aim of forming a basis for follow-up research that could open the way for potential technological ideas and optimization in novel applications. Laser pre-processing of ballistic textiles can raise surface roughness of smooth para-aramid fibres and as a result can improve the adhesion of functional coatings applied in following processing steps, thus opening new possibilities for material performance improvement. The impact resistance of ballistic fabric depends on the ability of its yarns in contact with the projectile absorb energy locally and disperse it to adjacent yarns without undergoing severe damage or failure. In addition to the yarn deformation and fracture, yarn resistance to pull-out contributes to the dissipation of impact energy significantly. The objective of this study is to optimize Kevlar^® KM2+ fabric surface topographies by adjusting the continuous wave (CW) CO₂ laser parameters in such a way that it increases the surface roughness and resistance to the yarn pull-out from the fabric without destroying the unique structure of the of Kevlar^® KM2+ fibres. Experimental research measured data show increase in surface roughness by 50–53% and set of laser parameter variants have been obtained that allow for an increase in KM2+ 440D woven fabric yarns pull out force from fabric in the range from 50% up to 99% compared to the untreated one.

This study examines properties of the cotton/polyamide plain plated commercial socks (CO 81%/PA 19%) and pure polyamide fabric subjected to the multifunctional treatment by a sol-gel coating technique where tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) and zinc acetate dihydrate (ZAD) were used as precursors. Commercially available sock is produced on a single cylinder sock knitting machine which results in two surfaces (cotton and polyamide), with dissimilar characteristics thus leading to necessity of their separate studies. Experimental part examines surface structural clarification and compound identification using infrared spectroscopy. To assess the impact of modification such properties as air permeability must be tested and analysed. Pilot tests of antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis mscL 1141 and Staphylococcus aureus mscL 334 where carried out. Due to the modification consolidation treatment temperature below the destruction of material and the chemical compounds vibrational modes overlap, but in regions 1170–1650 cm⁻¹ and 3200–3395 cm⁻¹ show the presence of bounds corresponding to sol-gel coating presence on the surface.

The process where pristine graphite is subjected to a solvent treatment seems simple and scalable and has attracted the attention of researchers over many years. However, for successful exfoliation, overcoming the van der Waals attractions between the adjacent layers of graphite is necessary. Over time, several methods have been created to overcome the attraction between layers. Graphene’s liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) occurs due to the strong interactions between the solvent molecules and the basal planes of graphite, overcoming the energetic resistance to exfoliation and subsequent dispersion. Ultra sonication used for exfoliation can produce single or few layered graphene flakes. During sonication the sound waves propagate through liquid medium in alternating high- and low-pressure cycles, strong mechanical and thermal energy released by acoustic cavitation results in splitting up large particles into fine ones and dispersing them. Simultaneous insertion of solvent and/or intercalation molecules in between the graphite layers takes place supporting graphite separation into graphene layers. ; The dispersion capacity of graphene flakes depends on how appropriate the solvent properties are to the corresponding properties of graphene, such as surface tension, Hildebrand, and Hansen solubility parameters. Only certain solvents can disperse graphene well and form a dispersion appropriate for specific future applications. In addition, after exfoliation by ultra sonication graphene flakes aggregation due to the van der Waals attractions must be overcome to prepare in long-term stable dispersions of nanometres-size graphene sheets. ; The research has focused on the preparation of stable dispersion ready for transfer without intermediate processes to the Kevlar fabrics. An experimental comparison of the potentials of the 4 solvents for the application resulted in three corresponding to the intended use, two of them examined in detail, supplementing the composition of the LPE liquid medium with triethanolamine to obtain sufficient performance graphene coverage on Kevlar textile fibres.

The study continues the authors' previous research on The Impact of CO₂ Laser Treatment on Kevlar^® KM2+ Fibres Fabric Surface Morphology, using direct laser surface texturing of polymers. SEM and Confocal microscopy image analysis of Kevlar^® KM2+ 440D and 600 are performed to analyze the results. In the course of the study, the surface topography of Kevlar^® KM2+ fabric is optimized by adjusting the continuous wave (CW) CO2 laser parameters so that it increases the surface roughness before graphene coating and resistance to yarn pulling out of the fabric without destroying the unique structure of Kevlar® KM2+ fibres. Experimental study measurement data indicate an increase in surface roughness by 50%, and a set of laser parameter variants has been obtained that allows increasing the yarn pulling out force of KM2+ woven fabric from the fabric in the range from 50% to 99%, compared to untreated fabric. The results obtained are potentially applicable for the production of composite materials against projectile fragmentation.