Hydrogels wound dressings have enormous advantages due to their ability to absorb high wound exudate, capacity to load drugs, and provide quick pain relief. The use of hydrogels as wound dressings in their original form is a considerable challenge, as these are difficult to apply on wounds without support. Therefore, the incorporation of polymeric hydrogels with a certain substrate is an emerging field of interest. The present study fabricated cellulose hydrogel using the sol–gel technique and reinforced it with nonwoven cotton for sustainable wound dressing application. The nonwoven cotton was immersed inside the prepared solution of cellulose and heated at 50 °C for 2 h to form cellulose hydrogel–nonwoven cotton composites and characterized for a range of properties. In addition, the prepared hydrogel composite was also loaded with titania particles to attain antibacterial properties. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of cellulose hydrogel layers inside the nonwoven cotton structure. The fabricated composite hydrogels showed good moisture management and air permeability, which are essential for comfortable wound healing. The wound exudate testing revealed that the fluid absorptive capacity of cellulose hydrogel nonwoven cotton composite was improved significantly in comparison to pure nonwoven cotton. The results reveal the successful hydrogel formation, having excellent absorbing, antimicrobial, and sustainable properties.

In the recent era of development, the global market for the sportswear textile manufacturing industries has increased with the increase in consumption of active sportswear. The sportswear manufacturers not only focused on the market trends but also focused on material diversification with technology enhancement. The performance characteristics of active sportswear directly influence comfort level and athletic performance during sports activities. Different types of sportswear products require different performance characteristics. Appropriate moisture and heat management are the key factors for the endowment of the required physiological comfort level. In highly engineered textile-based sports goods, special characteristics are incorporated in the polymer/fibers/product manufacturing procedures/finishing techniques to obtain the maximum performance and comfort level. In this review paper current market trends, highly engineered polymers, fibers, fabrics, finishes, nanomaterials, and the recent developments in the manufacturing techniques of sportswear are illustrated.

Nowadays, synthetic polymers are used in medical applications due to their special biodegradable, biocompatible, hydrophilic, and non-toxic properties. The materials, which can be used for wound dressing fabrication with controlled drug release profile, are the need of the time. The main aim of this study was to develop and characterize polyvinyl alcohol/polycaprolactone (PVA/PCL) fibres containing a model drug. A dope solution comprising PVA/PCL with the drug was extruded into a coagulation bath and became solidified. The developed PVA/PCL fibres were then rinsed and dried. These fibres were tested for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, linear density, topographic analysis, tensile properties, liquid absorption, swelling behaviour, degradation, antimicrobial activity, and drug release profile for improved and better healing of the wound. From the results, it was concluded that PVA/PCL fibres containing a model drug can be produced by using the wet spinning technique and have respectable tensile properties; adequate liquid absorption, swelling %, and degradation %; and good antimicrobial activity with the controlled drug release profile of the model drug for wound dressing applications.

In this study, cotton-reinforced alginate hydrogel fibers were successfully synthesized using the wet spinning technique to improve hydrogel fibers’ mechanical strength and durability. Structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of the prepared fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, and single fiber strength tester. Based on the results obtained from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray Diffraction, cotton fibers have been successfully incorporated into the structure of the hydrogel fibers. It was seen from the differential scanning calorimeter results that the incorporation of fibers in the structure even enhanced the thermal stability of the fiber and is viable to be implanted in the human body. Cotton reinforcement in alginate hydrogel fibers increases the modulus up to 56.45 MPa providing significant stiffness and toughness for the hydrogel composite fiber. The tenacity of the fibers increased by increasing the concentration of alginate from 2.1 cN/Tex (1% w/v) to 8.16 cN/Tex (1.5% w/v). Fiber strength increased by 26.75% and water absorbance increased by 120% by incorporating (10% w/w) cotton fibers into the fibrous structure. It was concluded that these cotton-reinforced alginate hydrogel fibers have improved mechanical properties and liquid absorption properties suitable for use in various biomedical applications.