Document paper identification is important in forensic document examination for assessing the source, substitution, and authenticity of questioned documents. This study evaluated a dual-column fast gas chromatography (fast GC)–based electronic nose (E-nose) combined with chemometric analysis for document paper discrimination. Headspace volatile fingerprints were obtained from 50 document paper observations, and peak-area datasets from two chromatographic columns were analyzed separately and in combination. Tentative library-based annotations were used only for qualitative interpretation. Principal component analysis, radar plots, and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to examine clustering patterns and discriminative retention-time variables. The combined dataset showed clearer clustering than the individual column datasets, indicating complementary information from the two columns. In internal nested cross-validation, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, and principal component analysis–linear discriminant analysis achieved accuracy, balanced accuracy, and macro F1-score values of 1.00 for the combined dataset. However, no independent external test set was used. These results indicate that dual-column fast GC E-nose fingerprinting may provide a rapid, solvent-free, complementary screening approach for forensic document paper discrimination, although validation with larger and independent datasets is required.
This study utilizes Gnaphalium affine extract as a natural dye to color silk fabric, aiming to enhance the ultraviolet (UV) resistance. The UV-Vis spectrum was employed to confirm the types of pigment components present. Through single-factor mordanting experiments, the influence of dyeing process parameters on the dyeing performance and color characteristics was investigated. The adsorption behavior and coloration mechanism of the dye on tussah silk fabric were discussed. The color gamut, color value, color fastness, and anti-UV performance of the dyed fabrics were evaluated. The results indicate that post-mordanting with Al3+ and Fe2+ ions constitutes the most effective dyeing strategy. The optimized process parameters were determined to be a dyeing temperature of 90°C, a duration of 40 min, a dye bath pH of 3, and a mordant concentration of 5 g/L. Under these conditions, the chroma (C*) and hue angle (h°) reached 29.36 ± 0.9 and 66.19 ± 0.7, corresponding to the orange region. Al3+ post-mordanting produced a pale brownish-yellow tone, whereas Fe2+ treatment resulted in a darker brown hue. Of the 23 differentiated color samples, 19 showed strong agreement with the Pantone color system, indicating good international applicability and potential for standardization.
This study evaluates the performance of recycled denim fabrics containing different proportions of recycled cotton under a systematic multi-stage industrial washing sequence. Four denim fabrics were examined: one 100% organic-cotton control fabric and three recycled fiber containing fabrics with different proportions of pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled cotton. Fabrics were subjected to four industrial washing conditions: unwashed (UW), rinse (R), enzymatic washing with pumice stone after rinsing (RE), and enzymatic washing followed by hypochlorite bleaching (REH). Physical, mechanical, and comfort-related properties, including mass per unit area, thickness, tensile strength, tear strength, elongation, bending rigidity, abrasion resistance, and air permeability were measured and analyzed. The results demonstrate that both fiber composition and washing treatment significantly influence the performance of denim fabrics. Fabrics containing recycled fibers exhibited lower tensile and tear strength, with the reductions being particularly evident in fabrics containing post-consumer recycled cotton. These findings provide a realistic evaluation of the use of pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled cotton under multi-stage industrial washing conditions. Beyond confirming the influence of recycled content on fabric performance, the study shows how different recycled waste source compositions respond to multi-staged washing treatments and provides practical guidance for selecting suitable washing routes for recycled denim fabrics.
The global imperative for clean and sustainable energy has intensified interest in hydrogen as a high-energy and zero-emission fuel source. Concurrently, water pollution caused by persistent azo dyes continues to pose serious environmental and health risks. Therefore, the development of efficient, sustainable catalysts capable of simultaneously addressing environmental remediation and energy production is of great significance. Herein, lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were extracted through a solvent–antisolvent precipitation process using acidified tetrahydrofuran and subsequently incorporated into a sodium alginate and crosslinked with Ca2+ ions to form LNPs@SA hydrogel nanocomposites. LNPs and LNPs@SA were employed as bio-based supports for zero-valent copper nanoparticles (Cu0-LNPs and Cu0-LNPs@SA). The structure and composition of the prepared catalysts were characterized using SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR. LNPs catalyzed NaBH4 hydrolysis and methanolysis, yielding low activation energy of 54.05 kJ/mol and 25.7 kJ/mol, respectively. The reusability of LNPs@SA in NaBH4 hydrolysis was also evaluated, and the catalyst maintained its effectiveness over four cycles. In the catalytic reduction of methyl orange (MO), Cu0-LNPs achieved 94.4% reduction within 4 min, with a rate constant of kapp= 0.705 min−1. Additionally, Cu0-LNPs@SA outperformed, achieving 99.5% MO removal in 1 min while retaining 99% efficiency over five cycles.
This review provides an integrated perspective on the drilling of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs), focusing on damage mechanisms, governing parameters, and mitigation strategies. Owing to their heterogeneous, anisotropic, and moisture-sensitive nature, NFRPCs are particularly susceptible to delamination, fiber pull-out, matrix cracking, and thermal degradation, which collectively compromise hole quality. Reported delamination factor values (Fd = 1.02–1.60) highlight the strong interdependence between material characteristics, cutting parameters, and tool geometry. From a materials standpoint, hybridization – natural–natural, natural–synthetic, or nanofiller-based – enhances mechanical performance and resistance to drilling-induced damage. Process optimization techniques such as Taguchi, RSM, GRA, TOPSIS, and ANN are critically compared; although ANN often reports high accuracy (R2 > 0.95), its superiority over RSM should be interpreted cautiously given the small datasets involved, while RSM retains advantages in interpretability and reliability. Coated carbide drills and advanced geometries significantly reduce thrust force, delamination, and surface roughness, while combined backing support and cryogenic cooling substantially lower damage severity. The novelty of this review lies in its unified framework connecting material design, machining parameters, tool engineering, and damage control, while emphasizing emerging trends such as volumetric damage assessment and intelligent modeling. Key research gaps are identified, offering a structured roadmap for sustainable, high-quality machining of NFRPCs.
In this study, a portable Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer was used to record the spectra of five traditional Korean dye powders, namely, sappan wood, Amur cork tree, indigo, acorn cupule, and gallnut, before and after accelerated aging under three conditions: ultraviolet irradiation, dry heating, and wet heating. Measurement reliability was verified by comparison with a benchtop FT-IR spectrometer. The results revealed that the sappan wood extract exhibited structural changes in carbonyl groups and phenolic substituents during aging, whereas the Amur cork tree extract exhibited variations in C–N skeletal vibrations under all aging conditions. The indigo and acorn cupule extracts exhibited high stability, with negligible spectral changes. In contrast, the gallnut extract exhibited significant structural alterations only during wet thermal aging, demonstrating the hydrolysis of tannin into gallic acid. These findings demonstrate that a portable FT-IR spectrometer can effectively and nondestructively characterize the composition and aging-induced degradation of natural dye powders, providing a foundational spectral reference for future nondestructive investigations of dyed cultural heritage objects. Further research incorporating dyed textile substrates and other dyestuffs is recommended to expand the spectral library and validate its applicability to actual heritage artifacts.
Starch-based materials are a diverse and rapidly growing class of bio-based, biodegradable, and renewable materials derived primarily from plant starch such as corn, potato, tapioca, wheat, rice, etc. They can offer a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic. Starch-based polymer bio-blends were prepared with different glycerol levels (32%, 28%, and 26%) in the presence of two carboxylic acids to compare the potential of malic acid to citric acid and to increase the bio-based content in the thermoplastic material. The viscosity of the starch suspension remains unaffected by the presence of acid but residual acidity significantly influenced the properties and the processing. The presence of acid enabled a high bio-based content and created a link between the plasticizer and starch. The thermoplastic starch exhibited a 288% improvement in mechanical properties with 0.167% (w/w) acid. Reducing the acid content resulted in materials with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. Malic acid demonstrated promising results and behaved similarly to citric acid, suggesting it could serve as an alternative coupling agent to citric acid.
The current study evaluates the effects of ceramic fillers (CFs), namely, silicon carbide (SiC) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) on mechanical properties (MPs) of banana fiber (BF)–epoxy composite by employing the multi‑objective optimization-based Taguchi–Grey Relational Analysis (TGRA) method. The composites are produced with different concentrations of SiC and Al2O3 ceramic filler (2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt.%.). The mechanical properties (MPs), evaluated in this study, include tensile strength (TS), Young’s Modulus (YM), Shore D hardness, and impact strength (IS) of ceramic particulate polymer (CPP) hybrid composite. The results show that SiC and Al2O3 have promising effects on mechanical properties when added to the composites. The highest values are observed for the CPPC8 specimen, showing 62% improvement in TS, compared with the base composite. TGRA optimization reveals that 7.5 wt.% SiC and 5 wt.% Al2O3 are the optimal combination and highest values for TS (47.24 MPa), YM (5.53 GPa), and overall Grey Relational Grade (GRG-0.764) are obtained. ANOVA results reveal that SiC filler dominantly influences GRG response (88.8%), while Al2O3 contributes marginally (8.9%). Optimized banana fiber/ceramic-filled composite, developed in this work, has great prospects in useful applications in the automotive industry, such as door panels, interior parts, dashboard, and lightweight structural components.
This study characterizes Citrobacter arsenatis RS3 for its capacity to facilitate partial aromatic modification of lignin and produce biohydrogen under dark-fermentative conditions. The strain achieved a 55.2% reduction in UV280 absorbance and 39.1% Azure B reduction after 7 days aerobically with glucose. HPLC confirmed transient release of ferulic acid (2.512 mg L − 1) and vanillin (0.668 mg L − 1) at day 3, indicating oxidative cleavage of lignin side chains. Substantial extracellular hydrolytic activities were observed, with clearance zones of 28.5 mm (proteases), 15.3 mm (amylases), 7.8 mm (xylanases), and 6.7 mm (cellulases). Sequencing revealed a 6.01 Mbp genome encoding 5,453 CDSs, including CAZymes such as putative AA2 manganese peroxidases, AA1 multicopper oxidases, CE1 acetyl xylan esterases, and [NiFe]-hydrogenases, alongside pathways for aromatic compound metabolism. Under anaerobic conditions, RS3 produced biohydrogen yields ranging from 0.012 to 1.205 mol H2 mol −1 substrate, with xylose yielding the highest cumulative output of 360 mL H2 g −1 volatile solids. The strain’s enzymatic and metabolic characteristics indicate it may warrant further investigation for potential application in single-stage bioprocessing of lignocellulosic feedstocks; however, substantial research is needed to validate metabolic coupling and optimize processes before any conclusions can be drawn regarding its efficacy in reducing pretreatment demands at scale.
Polyester (PET) remains one of the most widely used fibers in woven fabrics, yet its non-biodegradable nature raises environmental concerns. To address this challenge, this study evaluates polylactic acid (PLA), a bio-based and biodegradable polymer, as a sustainable alternative to PET in woven textiles. Fabrics were developed using 100% PLA and 100% PET multifilament yarns, along with hybrid combinations of PLA/PET in warp and weft. The yarns were tested for tensile strength, and the woven fabrics were analyzed for mechanical properties (tensile and tear strength) and comfort properties (air permeability, thermal resistance, water vapor permeability, and moisture management). Woven fabrics represent the backbone of global fashion and apparel production, where durability, comfort, and sustainability are equally critical. Results showed that PLA fabrics exhibited superior breathability and moisture transport compared to PET, while maintaining comparable mechanical performance. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on knitted fabrics or fiber blends, this study establishes a controlled woven-fabric framework that isolates the influence of fiber composition and warp-weft configuration on the balance between mechanical durability and thermo-physiological comfort. These findings highlight the potential of hybrid PLA/PET woven architectures to balance durability and comfort while supporting the broader adoption of sustainable materials in apparel applications.
Climate change is expected to affect all sectors of the global economy, with agriculture being particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on temperature and precipitation. Cotton is especially sensitive to these changes as its productivity relies on suitable thermal conditions, water availability, and stable reproductive development. This study investigates the effects of climate change on cotton productivity and agricultural income in seven major cotton-producing countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, India, Pakistan, Türkiye, and the United States, over the period 1971-2023. Long-run relationships were examined using the Westerlund cointegration test, country-specific effects were estimated with the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator and verified using Common Correlated Effects (CCE) approach, while short-run dynamics were assessed through the Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality test. Results reveal significant long-run relationships between climate variables, cotton productivity, and agricultural income, although the magnitude and direction of these effects vary across countries. In contrast, short-run effects appear limited and heterogeneous. To strengthen the interpretation of the econometric findings, the results are compared with experimental evidence on cotton heat stress and physiological responses. Together, the evidence indicates that climate change influences cotton productivity mainly through temperature-sensitive processes such as photosynthesis, reproductive development, and fiber formation, underscoring the need for country-specific adaptation strategies and climate-resilient agricultural policies.
The demand for sustainable materials has increased due to environmental concerns and the need to reduce dependence on conventional construction materials. Natural fibers, particularly bamboo, have gained attention as eco-friendly alternatives for structural and marine applications. This study evaluated the mechanical performance of bamboo strips under different processing and environmental conditions. The investigated factors were the number of epoxy coating layers (one and two), heat treatment temperatures (160°C, 170°C, and 180°C), and seawater concentrations (0%, 50%, and 100%). The effects of these parameters on tensile and flexural properties were first assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) combined with the Desirability Function (DF) was then applied to develop predictive models and optimize the mechanical responses. The quadratic models showed satisfactory predictive capability, with coefficients of determination (R²) ranging from 66.76% to 95.55%. Optimal tensile performance was achieved with 1–2 epoxy coating layers, heat treatment temperatures of 163–165°C, and 0% seawater concentration. The highest flexural performance was obtained with two epoxy coating layers, heat treatment temperatures of 162–166°C, and seawater concentrations of 67–100%. These findings demonstrate that optimizing heat treatment, epoxy coating, and seawater exposure significantly enhances the mechanical performance of bamboo strips for sustainable marine applications.
The development of flame-resistant and comfortable textile materials is essential for advanced protective clothing applications. This study investigates the development of double-layer interlock knitted fabrics using natural bamboo fibers and modacrylic Protex yarns to evaluate the influence of fiber blend ratio and fabric structure on physical, mechanical, comfort, and functional performance. Three fabric structures plain single jersey/plain single jersey (PS/PS), plain single jersey/cross tuck (PS/CT), and plain single jersey/cross miss (PS/CM) – were produced using three bamboo/Protex blend ratios (50:50, 40:60, and 60:40). Yarn characterization revealed that bamboo yarn exhibited higher lea strength (2963), whereas Protex yarn demonstrated greater tenacity (3.8 g/denier) and elongation (17%). Fabric structural parameters showed Wales per inch of 26–32 and courses per inch of 38–44, with stitch density ranging from 161 to 218 stitches/cm2. Fabric weight ranged from 251 to 287 g/m2 and thickness from 0.84 to 1.10 mm. The highest bursting strength (792.9 kPa) was observed in the PS/CM (50:50) structure. Antibacterial testing confirmed inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, while fabrics with higher Protex content exhibited zero after-flame and after-glow times, demonstrating suitability for protective textile applications.
Due to the growing transformation of the apparel industry toward sustainability, it is essential to understand the factors that motivate consumers to purchase eco-friendly apparel. This study examined six dimensions: environmental concerns, attitude, economic condition, peer influence, eco-labeling, and product availability. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 200 respondents in Pakistan, predominantly consisting of young male consumers. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, factor analysis, and AMOS path diagram modeling were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that environmental concerns, economic condition, peer influence, eco-labeling, and product availability significantly influenced consumers’ willingness to pay for sustainable apparel. However, attitude was statistically insignificant, indicating that positive perceptions alone do not necessarily translate into purchasing behavior. The results highlight the combined influence of economic, social, and environmental factors in shaping sustainable consumption behavior. The study primarily reflects the perceptions and purchasing behavior of young Pakistani consumers, particularly young male consumers, who represented the dominant segment of the sample. The findings provide valuable implications for policymakers, brands, and manufacturers by emphasizing affordability, accessibility, reliable eco-labeling, and social influence in promoting sustainable fashion.
The increasing use of natural-fiber textiles in interior applications requires effective and environmentally friendly fire protection solutions, as ignition of household fabrics remains a major cause of residential fires. Upholstered furniture manufacturers are particularly interested in advanced intumescent coatings for upholstery fabrics. This study presents a new intumescent flame-retardant system applied to natural-fiber interior fabrics using a back-coating technique commonly used in the upholstery industry. The formulation was based on phosphorus-containing resins produced under license from the Institute of Natural Fibers and modified with endothermic additives such as aluminum hydroxide, expanded vermiculite, β-cyclodextrin, dicyandiamide, and nanosilica. Flame-retardant performance was evaluated using an author-developed textile flammability method, the UL-94 vertical test, and cone calorimetry. Back-coated wool and linen fabrics showed significantly improved flame resistance while maintaining good mechanical properties. The optimized NEXP/D formulation achieved the best performance, obtaining a V-0 classification in the UL-94 test. Cone calorimetry demonstrated reductions of up to 68% in peak heat release rate and 85% in MARHE, together with increased char residue and gas-suppressing effects, especially for wool fabrics. The study provides a halogen-free approach to flame retardancy and supports the development of sustainable green interior textiles.
This study evaluated the performance of a sustainable woven fabric made from natural indigo – dyed banana fiber – cotton Ikat. The fabric exhibited a medium weight of 218.00 ± 0.77 g/m2 with warp and weft yarn densities of 61.00 ± 0.00 and 26.00 ± 0.63 threads / inch, respectively. It demonstrated strong directional tensile performance, achieving 550 N in the warp and 260 N in the weft direction. The fabric offered high UV protection, blocking 97.9% UVA and 99.2% UVB. Colorfastness ratings were favorable: 4.00 ± 0.67 for light and washing, and 4.50 ± 0.41–4.50 ± 0.33 for acidic/alkaline perspiration. Additional physical properties included air permeability of 16.65 cm3/cm2/s, abrasion resistance exceeding 10,000 cycles, and pilling resistance of grade 4. Although no antimicrobial activity was observed, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the structural integrity of the material. Overall, the fabric demonstrates strong potential as a sustainable textile. However, comprehensive validation for apparel applications requires further evaluation of long-term laundering durability, dimensional stability, and wearer comfort, alongside future investigations into alternative blend ratios and weave structures.
This paper describes the development and preliminary validation of an automatic system based on artificial intelligence. The fiber cross-sectional and related properties of alpaca, llama, and mohair fibers were investigated and fiber perimeter, area, major and minor axis, medullation, visually objectionable (VOF) and visually nonobjectionable fibers (VNOF), medulla dimensions, and fiber density were measured. For each sample, 8–12 cross-section images were captured. Each image captured on the Fiber Mult contained cross-sections of some 70–300 fibers. To identify VOF, samples from 52 alpaca animal were hand-sorted into VOF and VNOF and both sets were tested with the Fiber Mult. The results for fiber density from the automatic capabilities of the Fiber Mult were compared with results from direct visual counting. The developed methodology enabled measurement of each sample in 60 s, with comparable results to traditional methods. For all the animals, the medullated fibers were coarser and more elliptical than the nonmedullated fibers. The small contribution of the repeatability (≈2%) and reproducibility (≈0.7%) to the total variation, when the Fiber Mult measured different characteristics demonstrated its good precision. The Fiber Mult will have potential application in fiber-textile evaluation and for genetically improving the fiber quality of fleece-bearing animals.
The reduction of environmental impact has been facilitated by stringent environmental regulations, the imperative to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and the obligation to adhere to governmental laws for recycling and reuse. Natural fiber composites, which can rival synthetic fiber composites in performance, have been rapidly developed to meet the demand for lightweight structural materials. This research aims to investigate the mechanical, acoustical, and free vibration properties of biocomposites reinforced with Bauhinia purpurea L. biofiber in an unsaturated polyester matrix, considering various fiber weight percentages (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25wt.%) while maintaining a constant fiber length of 10 mm. The reinforced composite contains 20% fiber by weight offer better properties. The composites loaded with Bauhinia purpurea L. fiber exhibited exceptional characteristics, including a modulus of 3.72 GPa, tensile strength of 26.4 MPa, flexural strength of 68.92 MPa, impact strength of 9.55 kJ/m2, hardness of 85.22, and natural frequency of 52.84 Hz. The sound-absorbing properties were also improved, achieving a maximum noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.492. The enhancements were primarily attributed to the reduced fiber length, leading to less stress concentration defects and enhanced interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix at the optimal content, as evidenced by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis.
Lycell fiber, which combines the advantages of synthetic fibers and natural cellulose fibers, is one of the most promising textile raw materials with the best market feedback in this century. However, there is currently no accurate method for identifying different cross-linking degrees of lycell fiber. This study investigated the swelling and dissolution behaviors of lyocell fibers with different crosslinking types (uncrosslinked G100, semi-crosslinked LF, and fully crosslinked A100) in acidic and alkaline solutions. The method for accurately identifying different crosslinking types of lyocell fibers based on ZnCl2 solution was developed, along with analysis of factors influencing crosslinking properties. Results revealed significant differences in dissolution times of the three lyocell fibers at 90°C in a 70% ZnCl2 aqueous solution, with dissolution durations of 30 min, 180 min, and 450 min, respectively. Therefore, the 70% ZnCl2 solution solution can be effectively used to distinguish these three lyocell fiber types. The establishment of this method holds significant implications for production quality control of lyocell fiber fabrics and standardization of domestic and international market trade practices.
This study investigates whether coarse, locally produced Estonian sheep wool – typically undervalued and underutilized – can be transformed into chemically untreated, mono‑material woven outer‑shell fabrics, thereby contributing to the broader agenda of unconventional and economically viable wool applications. Importantly, the wool was sourced and processed under real-world conditions, where sheep are primarily raised for meat production and where regulated wool collection, sorting and scouring systems are largely absent. Breed‑specific yarns from Estonian Whitehead (EV), Estonian Blackhead (ET), and Kihnu Native sheep (KM) were woven into plain and twill constructions and subjected to controlled fulling. The resulting fabrics were evaluated for air permeability, water resistance, abrasion and pilling behavior, elastic extension, thermal resistance, and dimensional stability. The findings demonstrate that weave geometry and breed characteristics interact to determine performance: twills show lower air permeability and higher water resistance, while plain-weave fabrics provide better ventilation and stability; KM forms compact wind‑resistant fabrics, ET exhibits favorable elasticity for active layers, and EV ensures dimensional predictability. Abrasion resistance was moderate to high. These results show that local coarse wool can be used for performance‑oriented woven materials and support the economic valorization of wool from non-optimized production systems into higher‑value applications.
