Phototex / Photonitex

ln order to reach this goal, PHOTOTEX will take inspiration from photonic structures (nana structure changing with the light wavelength). Despite the fact that its fabrication requires nanotechnologies, this PhD thesis will also be focused on self-assembling plasmonic particles in a polymer matrix. Then the compound will be adapted to a melt spinning process of mono or multi filaments to obtain nano-texturized yarns. When these temperature and humidity dependent polymers are incorporated into the fabric, it  will enable  contrai  and  modulation of the thermal radiation. Two main pathways are considered,  either nanostructured hydrogels by controlled free radical emulsion polymerization or surface modification  of several plasmonic particles. Moreover, the design of optically active textiles materials has to go through key parameter identification of the radiation-active additives: their nature, dispersion and concentration in the polymer matrix. Finally, textiles conception and shaping requires a rheological approach because of the melt compound that must pass through very fine spinnerets. Yarn properties optimization  and textile added value is also closely  related to the contrai of the nana/micro interface structuration and identification of the adequate polymer system.