THE STABILITY OF SILVER NANOWIRE COATED POPLAR NONWOVENS UNDER WASHING CONDITIONS

Poplar fibers, known for their high cellulose content and hollow structure, are primarily discarded as waste in the wood industry despite the tree's abundance. Recent advancements have enabled the utilization of poplar fibers in the textile industry, specifically in the production of nonwoven fabrics. This study explores the potential of valorizing poplar fibers by functionalizing them with silver nanowires (AgNWs) for technical applications. The focus is on enhancing the durability of conductive poplar nonwovens against washing procedures. Initially, silver nanowires were synthesized via the NaCl-mediated polyol method and subsequently coated onto a blend of poplar and polyester (PET) nonwoven fabric. The conductive fabric samples underwent a series of washing cycles to assess their durability. Post-washing analyses included morphological characterization and conductivity measurements to evaluate the performance and resilience of the coatings. This study provides insights into the wash durability of conductive poplar nonwovens, contributing to their potential application in electronic wearables, where compliance and comfort are critical.