Textile Competence Center Vorarlberg 2 - TCCV2

With the consortium of 5 scientific partners and 18 company partners, the overall objective of TCCV2 is to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of advanced textile materials, including textile-based composites, high-performance textile materials, e-textiles and textile-based energy storage and sensor systems. Furthermore, research at TCCV2 places special emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies and products. Thus, the aspects of reuse, recycling, circular economy and bio-based products also are the silver lining throughout all TCCV2 research activities.

The general approach of the TCCV2 follows the strategy to organise the mainly SME oriented textile industry into a collaboration network in the 3 research areas, utilises the strong interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry, and further builds up the research competencies and capability as well as make it available to all partners for developing new technologies, but also for the implementation and commercialisations of innovative products.

Several collaborative project proposals with science and company partners have been initiated. Over the project duration, 10 national collaborative project proposals and 8 transnational proposals are submitted. Furthermore, the project also helped to boost the national and international visibility and expand the research network of the consortium.

As a centre for excellent technologies, TCCV2 made a significant contribution to strengthen the position of Austria as innovative research and economic location and to educate and produce highly qualified human resources.

Scientific output - Total number of publications:    100

• Peer reviewed scientific journals:                                58
• Other scientific journals:                                                 4
• Book / book chapter contributions:                              7
• Conferences:                                                                   31

IP - Patent applications:                                                     2

Education and Qualification:

• Habilitation:             1
• PhD theses:             6
• Master theses:        7
• Bachelor theses:     7

TCCV2 is a COMET Project within the COMET – Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies Programme and funded by BMIMI, BMWET and the federal state of Vorarlberg.COMET is managed by FFG.

Project related scientific publications (2021-2025)

[1]         S.M. Mueller, D.E. Braun, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, A.P. Manian, Regeneration of CI Sulfur Black 1 dyed cellulose through the viscose process, Text. Res. J. 0 (2025) 00405175251345478. https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175251345478.

[2]         A.W.T. King, A. Paajanen, E. Mahlamäki, M. Mäkelä, P. Penttilä, M. Cordin, A. Manian, M. Leino, E. Spönla, M. Svanberg, T. Koso, A. Tanaka, V. Liukkonen, A. Solberg, A. Savolainen, H. Orelma, A. Korpela, K. Syverud, A. Harlin, Controlled surface acetylation of cellulosics to tune biodegradability – expanding their use towards conventional plastics, RSC Sustain. 3 (2025) 5356–5366. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SU00377F.

[3]         F. Wurm, F. Schöb, T. Moor, J. Schweiß, J. Leukel, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Production and separation of knitted lyocell-cellulose acetate fabrics from crimped cellulose acetate fibers, Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 212 (2025) 107959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107959.

[4]         T. Bechtold, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, T. Pham, A comparative study of iron-complex mediated cathodic vat dye reduction with dyebath regeneration by ultrafiltration, and the conventional dyeing process, Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 212 (2025) 107998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107998.

[5]         M. Buchacher-Kröll, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, In-depth analysis of potassium peroxysulfate based oxidation of wool fibre by advanced infrared spectroscopy, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 234 (2025) 111225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111225.

[6]         A.P. Manian, B. Široká, T. Bechtold, Detection of ammonia mercerization in cotton textiles, Monatshefte Für Chemie - Chem. Mon. 156 (2025) 103–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-024-03181-9.

[7]         C. Fitz-Binder, A.P. Manian, M. Lenninger, S. Ortlieb, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Dyeing behaviour of iron(III)-gallic acid complexes on wool as function of pH-dependent iron(III)-complex stoichiometry, Dye. Pigment. 233 (2025) 112502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2024.112502.

[8]         T. Bechtold, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, T. Pham, Direct cathodic reduction of Sulphur Black 1 enables full-scale production testing for Black Denim without the use of reducing agents, Case Stud. Chem. Environ. Eng. 11 (2025) 101198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2025.101198.

[9]         A.P. Manian, T. Pham, T. Bechtold., Schicksal und Auswirkungen von Farbstoffen beim Faser-zu-Faser-Recycling - Polyamid 66 (PA 66) durch selektive Auflösung in Calciumchlorid-Ethanol-Wasser (CEW)., in: XXVIth IFATCC Int. Congr. 2023, Augsburg, 2023-10-14, 2024.

[10]      C. Gleissner, P. Mayer, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Multifunctional Polypyrrole-Based Textile Sensors for Integration into Personal Protection Equipment, Sensors. 24 (2024) 1387. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24051387.

[11]      L. Vonbrül, M. Cordin, A.P. Manian, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Solvent blends for selective elastane dissolution and recovery from mixed polyamide fabrics, Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 200 (2024) 107302. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107302.

[12]      C. Gleissner, C. Biermaier, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Altering the percolation threshold of <scp>PA66</scp> ‐copper hybrid in an electroless copper deposition process by surface activation of the polymer, Polym. Compos. 45 (2024) 14066–14076. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.28754.

[13]      P. Mayer, F. Netzer, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Enhancing the attraction of positively charged precursors of conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) by anchoring sulfonate groups in cellulose fibres, Polymer (Guildf). 303 (2024) 127122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.127122.

[14]      M. Cordin, S. Eberle, T. Bechtold, C. Bitschnau, K. Lins, F. Duc, R. Chapuis, T. Pham, Natural Fiber Reinforced Shoe Midsoles with Balanced Stiffness/Damping Behavior, Materials (Basel). 17 (2024) 401. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020401.

[15]      N. Aguiló-Aguayo, T.A. Ebert,, R. Amade, E. Bertran, R. Ospina, J. Rodriguez-Pereira, C.P. de León, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Impact of thermal treatment on continuous carbon filament electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries: a comparative study with felts., J. Power Sources. 11 (2024) 11, e202400417. https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202400417.

[16]      T. Bechtold, N. Aguilo-Aguayo, T. Pham, Cathodic reduction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone) to generate 1,2,4-trihydroxynaphthalene as regenerable reducing agent for dispersed indigo, J. Electroanal. Chem. 952 (2024) 117989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2023.117989.

[17]      M. Cordin, T. Bechtold, T. Ngo, T. Pham, Effect of fiber orientation on the mechanical properties of a biodegradable composite made from lyocell‐fiber reinforced polybutylene adipate terephthalate, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 141 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.56121.

[18]      J. Kovačević, F. Wurm, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Influence of chickpea protein on the pH and temperature dependent viscosity of carboxymethylated starch, Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 280 (2024) 136170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136170.

[19]      A. Mahmud-Ali, J. Büttler, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, More efficient usage of natural dyes through incorporation of cationic polymer into viscose fibres, Dye. Pigment. 223 (2024) 111990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2024.111990.

[20]      F. Wurm, K. Mann, B. Seidl, M. Kozich, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Cotton Fabric Coating by Cationic Starches to Aim for Salt‐Free Reactive Dyeing, ChemistrySelect. 9 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202403247.

[21]      N. Aguiló‐Aguayo, T.A. Ebert, R. Amade, E. Bertran, R. Ospina, J. Rodriguez‐Pereira, C. Ponce de León, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Comparative Analysis of Thermal Activation on Felts and Continuous Carbon Filament Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, ChemElectroChem. 11 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202400417.

[22]      P. Bogner, A. Mahmud-Ali, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, A.P. Manian, Alkali induced changes in spatial distribution of functional groups in carboxymethylated cellulose – comparison of cotton and viscose fibers, Cellulose. 31 (2024) 7313–7324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-024-06036-y.

[23]      P. Bogner, I. Schlapp-Hackl, M. Hummel, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, A.P. Manian, Carboxymethylation of viscose and cotton fibers: comparisons of water retention and moisture sorption, Cellulose. 31 (2024) 9455–9469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-024-06144-9.

[24]      F. Netzer, A.P. Manian, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, The role of carboxyl and cationic groups in low-level cationised cellulose fibres investigated by zeta potential and sorption studies, Cellulose. 31 (2024) 8501–8517. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-024-06132-z.

[25]      P. Bogner, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, A.P. Manian, Alkali induced changes in spatial distribution of functional groups in carboxymethylated cellulose, Cellulose. 31 (2024) 2833–2847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-024-05798-9.

[26]      P. Mayer, T. Bechtold, A.P. Manian, A. Marotto, T. Pham, Grafting of pyrrole onto cellulosic lyocell fibres via (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane anchor, Carbohydr. Polym. Technol. Appl. 8 (2024) 100553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2024.100553.

[27]      M. Lenninger, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Improvement of wet rub fastness in continuous dyeing with c.i. Sulphur Black 1 by ultrasonic treatment, Ultrason. Sonochem. 99 (2023) 106558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106558.

[28]      T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Production scale test for indirect cathodic reduction of indigo opens a route for greener denim, Sustain. Mater. Technol. 37 (2023) e00699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2023.e00699.

[29]      J. Landsiedel, J. Tschannett, M. Lenninger, S. Stroj, M. Domke, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, A siloxane interlayer approach to enhance surface metallization on polyamide fabrics via electroless copper deposition, Surfaces and Interfaces. 42 (2023) 103434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103434.

[30]      C. Gleissner, B. Kohn, U. Scheler, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Modification of PA66 fibres with in-situ polymerisation of 2- hydroxyethylmethacrylate, Surfaces and Interfaces. 43 (2023) 103573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103573.

[31]      H.L. Nguyen, S. Eberle, T. Bechtold, F. Fabbri, A. Pellis, G.M. Guebitz, E. Rohleder, M. Rabe, T. Pham, Investigation of the influence of the draw ratio on the enzyme catalysed degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres using nanoscale surface thermal analysis, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 218 (2023) 110593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110593.

[32]      T. Manian, Avinash P.; Bechtold, Thomas; Pham, Auflösung und Rückgewinnung von Polyamid aus Fasermischungen für das Textilrecycling., Melliand Textilberichte. 1 (2023) 18–20.

[33]      T. Bechtold, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, T. Pham, Cyclic Voltammetry of C.I. Disperse Orange 62 in an Aqueous Electrolyte, Materials (Basel). 16 (2023) 6901. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216901.

[34]      C. Biermaier, P. Petz, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Investigation of the Functional Ageing of Conductive Coated Fabrics under Simulated Washing Conditions, Materials (Basel). 16 (2023) 912. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16030912.

[35]      M. Lenninger, F. Wiemeyer, E. Kopp, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Reduction of bromate formation in electrochemical production of hypobromite for water disinfection, J. Water Process Eng. 55 (2023) 104264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104264.

[36]      N. Aguiló-Aguayo, J. Tschannett, A.P. Manian, T. Bechtold, M. Scheiderbauer, Impedance Analysis of Three-Dimensional Continuous Carbon Filament Embroidered Electrodes in Large 300 cm 2 Redox Flow Cells, J. Electrochem. Soc. 170 (2023) 050513. https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/acd1d8.

[37]      F. Wurm, M. Lenninger, A. Mayr, C. Lass-Floerl, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Imperfect cross-linking of xanthan for pH-responsive bio-based composite moist wound dressings by stencil printing, J. Biomater. Appl. 38 (2023) 670–680. https://doi.org/10.1177/08853282231210712.

[38]      M. Cordin, A.P. Manian, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Effect of fiber orientation and fiber volume fraction on the mechanical properties of all‐polyamide composites, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 140 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.54509.

[39]      F. Wurm, F. Netzer, U. Schäffner, J. Leukel, J. Schweiß, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Single fiber coating of viscose filaments with cellulose acetate for partially hydrophobic hybrid fibers, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.53890.

[40]      A.P. Manian, F.E. Kraegeloh, D.E. Braun, A. Mahmud‐Ali, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Separation of polyamide 66 from mixtures with cellulose fibers by selective dissolution in calcium chloride‐ethanol‐water solvent, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. (2023) 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.53813.

[41]      B. Thomas, P. Tung, M. Avinash, Sources for Natural Colorants in Europe, in: B. Thomas, P. Tung, M. Avinash, C. (Series E. Stevens (Eds.), Handb. Nat. Color. 2nd Ed., 2nd ed., Wiley, Chichester, UK, 2023: p. 688. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Handbook+of+Natural+Colorants%2C+2nd+Edition-p-9781119811718.

[42]      T. Pham, T. Bechtold, A. Manian, Natural Dyes in Eastern Asia (Vietnam and Neighbouring Countries), in: T. Bechtold, A. Manian, T. Pham, C. (Series E. Stevens (Eds.), Handb. Nat. Color. 2nd Ed., 2nd ed., Wiley, Chichester, UK, 2023: p. 688. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Handbook+of+Natural+Colorants%2C+2nd+Edition-p-9781119811718.

[43]      C. Gleissner, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Carolin Gleissner, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Enhancing the Wettability of Fibre Surface: A Comparative Experimental Study of Different Surface Activation Principles on Single Polyamide Fibre, Fibers Polym. under revi (2023) 4241–4252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-023-00402-6.

[44]      A.P. Manian, S. Mueller, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Quantification of indigo on denim textiles as basis for jeans recycling, Dye. Pigment. 216 (2023) 111327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2023.111327.

[45]      J. Setthayanond, F. Netzer, K. Seemork, P. Suwanruji, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, A.P. Manian, Low ‑ level cationisation of cotton opens a chemical saving route to salt free reactive dyeing, Cellulose. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05136-5.

[46]      F. Wurm, K.-J. Mann, B. Seidl, M. Kozich, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Single fibre coating of cellulose acetate fibres for hydrophilic modification using carboxymethylated starch, Carbohydr. Polym. Technol. Appl. 6 (2023) 100379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2023.100379.

[47]      C. Biermaier, C. Gleißner, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, The role of citrate in heterogeneous silver metal catalyst formation: A mechanistic consideration, Arab. J. Chem. 16 (2023) 104803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.104803.

[48]      E. Bertran-Serra, A. Musheghyan-Avetisyan, S. Chaitoglou, R. Amade-Rovira, I. Alshaikh, F. Pantoja-Suárez, J.-L. Andújar-Bella, T. Jawhari, A. Perez-del-Pino, E. Gyorgy, Temperature-modulated synthesis of vertically oriented atomic bilayer graphene nanowalls grown on stainless steel by inductively coupled plasma chemical vapour deposition, Appl. Surf. Sci. 610 (2023) 155530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155530.

[49]      A. Bernhard, B. Caven, T. Wright, E. Burtscher, T. Bechtold, Improving the ultraviolet protection factor of textiles through mechanical surface modification using calendering, Text. Res. J. 92 (2022) 1405–1414. https://doi.org/10.1177/00405175211046624.

[50]      T. Bernt, Ingo; Bechtold, Bio-based hybrid fibers with reduced flammability, Tech. Text. (2022) 186–187.

[51]      T. Alam, F. Saidane, A. al Faisal, A. Khan, G. Hossain, Smart- textile strain sensor for human joint monitoring, Sensors Actuators A Phys. 341 (2022) 113587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2022.113587.

[52]      A.P. Manian, S. Müller, D.E. Braun, T. Pham, T. Bechtold, Dope Dyeing of Regenerated Cellulose Fibres with Leucoindigo as Base for Circularity of Denim, Polymers (Basel). 14 (2022) 5280. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235280.

[53]      A.P. Manian, B. Paul, H. Lanter, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Cellulose Fibre Degradation in Cellulose/Steel Hybrid Geotextiles under Outdoor Weathering Conditions, Polymers (Basel). 14 (2022) 4179. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194179.

[54]      M. Buchacher, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Characterisation of reduction state of cystine linkages on wool fibre surface under heterogeneous reaction conditions, Polym. Test. 106 (2022) 107438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2021.107438.

[55]      C. Gleissner, J. Landsiedel, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Surface Activation of High Performance Polymer Fibers: A Review, Polym. Rev. 62 (2022) 757–788. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2022.2025601.

[56]      B. Paul, A. Mahmud-Ali, M. Lenninger, S. Eberle, I. Bernt, D. Mayer, T. Bechtold, Silica incorporated cellulose fibres as green concept for textiles with reduced flammability, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 195 (2022) 109808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2021.109808.

[57]      C. Gleissner, C. Biermaier, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Complexation-mediated surface modification of polyamide-66 textile to enhance electroless copper deposition, Mater. Chem. Phys. 288 (2022) 126383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.126383.

[58]      H.L. Nguyen, T. Bechtold, F. Fabbri, A. Pellis, G.M. Guebitz, T. Pham, Characterisation of enzyme catalysed hydrolysation stage of poly(lactic acid) fibre surface by nanoscale thermal analysis: New mechanistic insight, Mater. Des. 219 (2022) 110810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110810.

[59]      T. Vu-Manh, Hai; Öztürk, Hale Bahar; Manian, Avinash P.; Bechtold, Mordanting of Cellulosics with Iron(III) Sodium Tartrate (FeTNa) Complexes for Coloration with Natural Dyes., Lenzinger Berichte. 97 (2022) 45–49.

[60]      W. Sedlacek, Daniel; Roso, Martina; Viel, Leano; Perotto, Nicola; Caven, Barnaby; Hasler, Michael; Nachbauer, Ageing of climbing ropes with and without hydrophobic coating, J. Sport. Eng. Technol. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1177/175433712110628.

[61]      N. Aguiló-Aguayo, T. Drozdzik, T. Bechtold, Impedance analysis of electrodes made of continuous carbon filaments in a 20 cm2 redox flow cell, J. Electroanal. Chem. 926 (2022) 116954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.116954.

[62]      P. Schröder, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, D. Obendorf, T. Bechtold, Near to neutral pH all-iron redox flow battery based on environmentally compatible coordination compounds, Electrochim. Acta. 430 (2022) 141042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2022.141042.

[63]      A.P. Manian, D.E. Braun, B. Široká, T. Bechtold, Distinguishing liquid ammonia from sodium hydroxide mercerization in cotton textiles, Cellulose. 29 (2022) 4183–4202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04532-7.

[64]      J.R. Büttler, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Efficient and simple method for the quantification of alkyl polyglycosides by hydrolysis and photometric determination of reducing sugars, Arab. J. Chem. 15 (2022) 104102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104102.

[65]      C. Biermaier, C. Gleisner, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Localised Catalyst Printing for Flexible Conductive Lines by Electroless Copper Deposition on Textiles, in: 2022 IEEE Int. Conf. Flex. Printable Sensors Syst., IEEE, 2022: pp. 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/FLEPS53764.2022.9781518.

[66]      J. Landsiedel, W. Root, N. Aguiló-Aguayo, H. Duelli, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Multi-Point Flexible Temperature Sensor Array and Thermoelectric Generator Made from Copper-Coated Textiles, Sensors. 21 (2021) 3742. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21113742.

[67]      C. Biermaier, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Towards the Functional Ageing of Electrically Conductive and Sensing Textiles: A Review., Sensors. 21 (2021) 5944. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21175944.

[68]      M. Cordin, T. Bechtold, T. Pham, Quantification of aniline and N-methylaniline in indigo, Sci. Rep. 11 (2021) 21135. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00634-7.

[69]      H.L. Nguyen, T. Bechtold, Thermal stability of natural dye lakes from Canadian Goldenrod and onion peel as sustainable pigments, J. Clean. Prod. 315 (2021) 128195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128195.