Research Proposal

MS- Textile

Submitted by:
Maliha Mazhar (f2022089001)
Advisor: (Dr Kashif Javed)
Submitted to:
SCHOOL OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL SCIENCE (UMT)
Project Title:
Optimizing Lotus leaf extracts with Graphene for Self-cleaning textiles
1. Introduction:
1.1. Self-Cleaning:

With every passing day we see innovations and advancements in almost every field of life,
similarly certain advancements are done in the field of textiles, Self-cleaning textile is the
example of such an advancement. Self-cleaning fabrics are type of fabrics that repel dirt, dust,
liquids and stains etc. Such fabrics are cleaned on their own and do not require certain washes or
laundering. Certain coatings are applied on the surface of fabrics that gives the unique property
of self-cleanliness.

The phenomena of Self-cleaning comes from the nature from the Lotus plant. Lotus plant also
called (Nelumbo Nucifera) is a type of aquatic plant. It grows in different regions of the world
such as Asia, Australia etc. The plant grows in the ponds, marshes and lakes. The plant has large
round leaves and flower that floats on the water.

The plant exhibits the unique property of self-cleaning also called "Lotus Effect". This term was
given in 1990s by Wilhem Barthlott, a German botanist to explain the self-cleaning property of
the plant. It is a natural phenomenon where water droplets bead up and roll off the surface the
surface of lotus leaf taking away all the dirt and dust. This effect is created on the surface of leaf
due to many factors, such as tiny bumps or papillae on leaf and a waxed coating material.

Papillae:

The lotus leaf surface consists of very tiny bumps called Papillae. These bumps create a rough
texture by increasing the surface area of the leaf, moreover the texture and natural wax on the
leaf reduces the contact area between leaf and water droplets.

Air pockets:

The tiny bumps have spacings, these spacings creates very small microscale sized pockets of air
on the surface. Therefore, when water droplets fell on the leaf they rest at the top of air pockets,
reducing the contact with surface of leaf. This air trapping results in Cassie-Baxter state, in
which the water droplets are beaded and rolled off the surface of leaf easily.
Wax:

Natural waxes are present on the surface of lotus leaf. These waxes have hydrophobic molecules
that repels the water and prevent it to spread. Waxes play important role in the self-cleaning
mechanism of lotus plant.

1.2 Self-Cleaning Chemicals in Lotus Leaf:

There are certain chemicals in the surface of lotus leaf. On the leaf surface there is layer of
epicuticular wax which contains hydrophobic compounds.

1.2.1. Fatty acids

Fatty acid is present in the epicuticular wax layer. It is a longer chain of carboxylic acids with
hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail and hydrophilic carboxyl group. The function is to form a
protective layer on the surface of leaf and repel water. Palmitic acid (hexadecenoic acid) and
Stearic acid (octadecenoic acid) are the common type of fatty acids found in the lotus leaf

1.2.2. Alkanes

Alkane are the saturated hydrocarbons in which the carbon atoms are held together by single
bond. They are classified as Chain alkanes, Cycloalkanes and Branched alkanes etc. the purpose
of alkane in lotus leaf is similar to the fatty acid, that is the creation of hydrophobic surface.

1.2.3. Alcohol

Long chains of alcohol are present in the lotus leaf, also called fatty alcohols, this contributes in
the terms of hydrophobicity of leaf surface. Alcohol with other compounds like fatty acid and
alkanes, reduce the surface energy of the leaf (property where the surface of leaf has low affinity
for water). Octanol, Decanol, Dodecanol and Octadecanol are the examples of long chain
Alcohol in the lotus leaf.

1.2.4. Esters

Ester is the organic compound found in the lotus leaf. Ester is formed when Alcohol reacts with a
Carboxylic acid, resulting in the removal of water. Ester helps create a barrier that repels water,
moreover ester gives fragrance to various products.
 1.3 Graphene as a Self-cleaning material:

The study of graphene started in 1947 by a physicist Philip R. Wallace whereas the term
Graphene was introduced by the chemist Hanns-Peter Boehm, Ralph Setton and others in 1986.
Graphene is extracted from Graphite; it is made up of carbon. Graphene is an allotrope (different
forms of same element), where single layer of carbon atoms is arranged in a hexagonal structure.

1.3.1. Property and structure

Graphene is developed from Graphite. The structure is made up of single layer of carbon atoms
which are arranged in honeycomb or hexagonal structure. It is developed as a single layer and
multilayered form. Various sheets of graphene are placed on top of each other to form multi-layer
graphene. Graphene is very strong as carbon atom in structure is bonded to three other carbon
atoms in a covalent bond. Graphene has high thermal conductivity and electric conductivity. It is
elastic, flexible, hard and high resistant. It is 40 times stronger than Diamond. Graphene is used
to create self-cleaning textile surface as it is hydrophobic in nature.

1.3.2. Graphene for self-cleaning surface

Graphene is hydrophobic in nature it repels water. When graphene contacts with water, it creates
as barrier and water is not spread on the surface. Water rolls off the surface taking all dirt and
dust away from surface, this phenomenon is similar to the lotus effect found on lotus leaf
surface.

Graphene has a smooth surface which minimize the adhesion of dust and dirt on surface.
Moreover, the structure of graphene is two dimensional and tightly packed. Graphene has
Tortuosity which means different path length and pore size, twists and bends. This tortuosity
effect makes it difficult for contaminants or dirt to stick to the surface and provide a suitable
pathway for water to remove that dust away from surface.

1.3.2. Use of Graphene in textiles

Graphene is used in textile industry because of many benefits. It is used in conductive fabrics
such as smart clothes and garments that includes sensors etc. It is used as a finishing or coating
material to make UV-protected garments or Anti-bacterial fabric. It is considered eco-friendly
and used as a coating material for water repellent garment or self-cleaning fabric.
2. Previous Research:
3. Problem to solve, justification and aim of the study:
4. Research benefits and Significance
5. Objective of study:
6. Proposed Material and Methods
7. Characterization
8. A complete Research plan:
9. References: