5th International Color and Coatings Congress (ICCC 2013) December 18-19,

2013 IsfahanIran

Investigation of near infrared reflectance on printed fabric by using

the multi-walled carbon nanotube particles (MWCNTs)
M. Khajeh Mehrizi*, F. Bokaei , N. Jamshidi
Department of Textile Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, 89195-741, I. R. Iran
mkhajeh@yazd.ac.ir

Abstract
In order to match the reflectance profile of dark and light brown in the Visible-near IR (Vis-NIR) regions,
some selected colored pigments were applied to print cotton/nylon fabrics. Multi-walled carbon nanotube
particles (MWCNTs) were also added to the printing pastes. The effect of MWCNTs on Vis/NIR reflectance,
wettability, perspiration, light fastnesses and colorimetric values of each printed sample were evaluated. The
results indicated that the presence of MWCNTs in concentration range of 0.04-0.12 g/kg in printing
formulations was found to cause decline in Near Infrared (NIR) reflectance whilst a surprising increase in
Visible reflectance of samples was observed.

Introduction
Fibers and coatings with distinctive optical, magnetic, and electrical properties are being extensively studied
for various commercial applications. Novel materials are being developed with exclusive tunable coloration
properties across the visible band as well as spanning the infrared and ultraviolet region of the
electromagnetic spectrum [1].
The near IR (NIR) region of the spectrum covers the wavelength range from 700 nm to 2000 nm, although
some current researches focus on the 700 nm 1200 nm. All bodies and objects have a convinced reflection
factor or reduction percentage in this region. The reflection factors of most natural objects (tree branches and
leaves, soil and rocks, bodies of water, etc.) differ within the limits of 10-80% [2].
Printing, coating and dyeing methods have been used in order to tune infrared radiation reflectance of textiles
in the near IR region.There exists a selected vat dyes for cellulosic fibers and blends thereof, which present
both visual and NIR reflectances [3]. An another technique for matching ususal colors including in desert
area on cotton/polyester and cotton/nylon is adding carbon black and titanium dioxide pigments in the
printing pastes [4-6].
In this research, in order to add MWCNTs to the printing paste formulations, reflectance of printed patterns
in Vis-NIR regions was studied. Required dark and light brown colors in desert area were tunned on
cotton/polyamide 6 (Co/PA) fabrics using various colored pigments. Then required colored and fastness
properties of printed samples were evaluated.

Experimental
In this study, samples of fabric were printed using a mixture of some special pigments and MWCNTs (Outer
diameter: 10-20 nm, Inner diameter 5-10 nm and purity 95%) to produce light and dark brown shades
which are present in concealment patterns of textiles employed in deserts.
Conventional screen-printing method was followed in all printing experiments. MWCNTs (0.04 -0.12 g/kg)
were added to the Stock printing paste containing a MT binder and thickener. Print formulations containing
of special pigments were tuned in a way to mimic visible and NIR reflectance behavior of required shades in
the desert area. Selected pigments applied in print formulations for covering up purposes in Vis/NIR regions
are listed in Table 1.
Printing pastes were all hand printed on fabrics using a flat screen. Subsequently, printed fabrics were dried
in an air dryer at 100oc for 3 minutes, and then cured in a laboratory stenter at 140 oC for 5 minutes. Spectral
reflectance of printed samples was measured on a Jasco ARN-570 reflectance spectrophotometer in Vis/NIR
(400-1500 nm) wavelength.

Table1. Colored pigments used in printing formulations

5th International Color and Coatings Congress (ICCC 2013) December 18-19,
2013 IsfahanIran

Commercial name
Esta Print Yellow R
Esta Print Red GC
Pigmaprint Brown R
Bercolin Black CB

Manufacturing factory
Ebrism Chemie, Iran
Ebrism Chemie, Iran
Guray kimya, Turkey
Bersa, Turkey

Results and discussion

The reflectance profiles of Co/PA fabrics printed with pigmented pastes containing different quantities of
MWCNTs is presented in figures 1.

Figure 1. Vis-NIR reflectance profile of dark brown printed fabrics with different concentrations of
MWCNTs
The result in Figure 1 indicated that by adding MWCNTs to dark brown paste in the concentration of 0.040.12 g/kg MWCNTs, the reflectance of samples increases in Visible band but NIR curve of sample
decreases about 5%. Increasing the quantity of MWCNTs in brown printed areas could enhance NIR
absorption. The results showd that the wettability time of printed samples containing quantities of
MWCNTs follows a rising trend. According to obtained results, the wettability time of printed samples was
enhanced from 37.3 to higher than 100 sec for dark brown printed fabric whilst for light brown printed
fabric; it changed from 27.2 to 83.7 sec.

Conclusions
Using high load of MWCNTs pigment can cause high color difference to the reference in comparison to the
sample with no MWCNTs especially in deep shades like dark brown.

References
[1] E. Wilusz, Military Textiles, Cambridge: CRC Press, 2008, 392.
[2] NP. Puzikova, EV. Uvarova, IM. Filyaev, LA. Yarovaya, Principles of an approach for coloring military
camouflage. Fiber chem., 2008, 40(2), 53-56.
[3] H. Zhang, JCH. Zhang. Near-infrared green camouflage of cotton fabric susing vat dyes, J Text Inst.
2008, 99, 8388.
[4] M. Khajeh Mehrizi, SM. Mortazavi, Sh. Mallakpour, SM. Bidoki , M. Vik, M. Vikova, Effect of carbon
black nanoparticles on reflective behavior of printed cotton/nylon fabrics in Visible/Near infrared regions,
Fiber Polym, 2012, 13(4), 501-506.
[5] M. Khajeh Mehrizi, SM. Mortazavi, Sh. Mallakpour, SM. Bidoki, The effect of nano and micro-TiO 2
particles on reflective behavior of printed cotton/nylon fabrics in Vis-NIR regions, Color Res Appl, 2012,
37(3), 199-205.
[6] M. Abbasipour, M. Khajeh Mehrizi, Investigation of changes of reflective behavior of cotton/polyester
fabric by TiO2 and carbon black nanoparticles, Scientia Iranica F, 2012, 19(3), 954-957.