Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tung Pham
Dr. Noemi Aguilo-Aguayo
assoz. Prof. Dr. Avinash P. Manian
The Research Institute of Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics focuses on advancing basic research and technology in fibre chemistry, polymers, dyes, and advanced materials. Key areas include modification, characterization, and application of fibre and textile materials. The institute is home to the EU Key Enabling Technology Center and the Core Facility for Interface in Hybrid Systems. Our current research spans hybrid structures and interfaces, energy storage, functional textiles, bio-based materials, and sustainability. We collaborate with both national and international companies and research institutions to explore new technologies and applications for fibres and textiles.
We aim to deepen the understanding of the interactions in hybrid systems and develop efficient textile hybrid structures. This involves fibre functionalization and surface activation to enhance interfacial adhesion, with studies focusing on reaction-triggered diffusion and absorption at the phase boundary in heterogeneous systems. Potential applications include salt-free dyeing processes and high-swelling, highly absorbant materials.
Our research focuses on developing efficient 3D textile electrodes and integrating conductive structures and sensors in textiles. We are exploring textile-based 3D structures as electrodes to enhance performance in electrochemical energy storage systems, including metal-ion batteries and redox flow batteries, as well as for hydrogen production. Additionally, we are advancing methods for creating conductive coatings on textiles, such as electroless metallization and in-situ polymerization of conductive polymers. These conductive structures have broad applications, from medical sensors to personal protective equipment, and beyond.
We prioritize sustainable textile, including bio-based fiber materials and recycling of textile waste into secondary raw materials. Projects aim to expand the use of renewable materials like hemp and flax fibers through targeted delignification or to increase the utility of cellulose fibres through derivatization. Another focus is on developing technologies to separate and recover fibers polymers from used textiles, such as extracting elastic polyurethane (elastane) from polyamide or polyester blends . This enables textile waste textiles to re-etner the fiber-to-fiber cycle as valuable raw materials.