Layer by layer deposition of PEDOT, silver and copper to develop durable, flexible, and EMI shielding and antibacterial textiles

Nowadays due to rapid development and advancement in electronic and communication technology, human and other living beings are continually exposed to Electromagnetic Radiations. Electromagnetic shielding materials have received a great attention for hindering harmful radiations that influence the accuracy of devices and the health of living beings. In this study, flexible and conductive textile was fabricated by using different deposition techniques for the development of comfortable maternity garment to save fetus and mother from disastrous radiations. 100 % cotton with GSM 250 was opted and coatings were carried out on the surface by Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): a conductive polymer by using dipping and drying method while conductive fillers Copper (Cu) and Silver (Ag) by electroless deposition technique. The developed fabric was investigated for elemental analysis, FTIR to find out the functional groups and XRD to discover the crystalline nature of the material whereas, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding effectiveness was inspected by using Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) ranging from 9 kHz to 13.6 GHz and had presented a good shielding effectiveness (SE) of about 45 dB. The treated fabric showed excellent antibacterial activity. The comfort properties of coated fabric were evaluated by KAWABATA evaluation system. The developed fabric is a novel shielding material for maternity garments that is low cost, light weight, durable, comfortable and could perform comprehensively.