Fabrication of electrically conductive and improved UV-resistant aramid fabric via bio-inspired polydopamine and graphene oxide coating

Abstract

This study presents the fabrication of woven aramid fabric (AF) with integrated properties, especially with improved surface activity, UV resistance, electrical conductivity and thermal properties. A biomimicry surface functionalization with polydopamine (PDA) and a further modification by graphene oxide (GO) coating of the AF was demonstrated. The surface properties of AF were changed by repeated reduce graphene oxide (rGO) coating process. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed that the rGO sheets were successfully formed on the surface of AF, and the deposition of GO/rGO was proven by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrical conductivity was ascertained by the electrical surface resistance value of the AF. A low surface resistance value of 6.43 Kῼcm⁻¹ was obtained after five times of modification, resulting in an excellent conductivity. The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value of the modified AF increased to 73 in comparison to 37 for the original AF.

Keywords:

• Aramid fabric
• graphene oxide
• polydopamine
• surface modification
• electrical conductivity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; 111 Project; and National First-Class Discipline Program of Light Industry Technology and Engineering.