Effect of Sonication and Nano TiO(2) on Thermophysiological Comfort Properties of Woven Fabrics

[Image: see text] The main aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on thermophysiological comfort properties of TiO(2)-coated fabrics. The results were evaluated on the basis of heat and mass transfer as well as air permeability performances. Alambeta, a permetester, an air permeability tester, and a moisture management tester were used for thermal evaluation and air and moisture transportation, respectively. Hundred percent pure cotton and polyester woven fabrics were used for this study. Moreover, the study explains the effect of sonication on surface roughness of textile woven fabrics. TiO(2) nanoparticles were deposited onto selected fabrics by sonication. Surface topography, changes regarding surface roughness, and the presence of nano TiO(2) were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Furthermore, standard test methods were carried out to evaluate physical and overall thermophysiological comfort properties, i.e., thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity, relative water vapor permeability, absolute evaporative resistance, air permeability, and overall moisture management capacity of TiO(2)-treated and untreated samples.