Smart Textiles Powered by Nature: Bio-Based PCMs Bring Comfort and Sustainability to Cotton Fabrics

Smart textile PCM cotton fabric

Author: Quantum Server Networks
Original article: AZoM News

Natural Phase Change Materials: A New Era for Thermoregulated Textiles

Smart fabrics are becoming increasingly important in a world where comfort, performance, and sustainability intersect. A recent study published in Scientific Reports has spotlighted an exciting development: the use of bio-organic phase change materials (PCMs) to improve the thermal properties of cotton fabrics. These natural materials—like coconut oil and gelatin—offer a greener alternative to synthetic additives in functional textiles.

This breakthrough not only improves the thermal comfort of garments but also introduces a sustainable solution for regulating body temperature across climates and seasons.

Understanding PCMs: What They Do and Why They Matter

Phase change materials work by absorbing and releasing thermal energy during phase transitions, typically from solid to liquid and vice versa. In textiles, PCMs act like built-in climate control systems: they store body heat when it's too warm and release it as temperatures drop.

The challenge with PCMs has always been containment—once melted, they tend to leak. That’s where host materials like gelatin come into play. This study combined gelatin with stearic acid to create a stable matrix for two different PCMs: coconut oil and octadecanol.

Experimenting with Eco-Friendly Composites

Researchers formulated PCM composites by heating mixtures of gelatin-fatty acid esters with either coconut oil or octadecanol at 90 °C. These were then applied to cotton fabrics in different concentrations using a pad-dry-cure process. The fabrics were either dyed before treatment or afterward to evaluate how the sequence affected performance.

The treated fabrics were then analyzed using FTIR, SEM, and DSC techniques to measure their structural and thermal properties. Key indicators included latent heat capacity, thermal conductivity, insulation, and resistance to dry heat transfer. Additionally, the durability and comfort of the treated textiles were evaluated after repeated wash cycles.

Results: Coconut Oil Comes Out on Top

The results were promising: coconut oil-based composites exhibited higher latent heat storage than their octadecanol counterparts. The fabrics also displayed uniform film coverage, leading to better insulation and enhanced thermal comfort.

Interestingly, the sequence of dyeing mattered. Fabrics that were dyed first and then treated (dyed-then-treated) performed better in terms of thermal conductivity and heat storage than those treated before dyeing. This insight is particularly useful for textile manufacturers aiming to integrate thermal functionality without compromising aesthetics.

Color strength and overall comfort were improved in treated fabrics, and although performance dipped slightly after five wash cycles, properties stabilized again by the tenth cycle—highlighting the potential for long-term usability.

Sustainability and Industry Implications

This research emphasizes a shift toward using sustainable, biodegradable, and non-toxic materials in high-performance textiles. Coconut oil, often overlooked in PCM applications, proves to be not only viable but superior in several respects.

With growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly clothing, integrating bio-organic PCMs into commercial textiles could reshape how we think about fashion, comfort, and thermal adaptation.

Conclusion: Thermally Adaptive Textiles with a Green Twist

By merging bio-organic science with textile engineering, this study offers a path toward climate-responsive garments that don’t compromise on sustainability. Natural PCMs like coconut oil and gelatin-stearic acid matrices can revolutionize thermoregulated fabrics for everything from outdoor apparel to medical wearables.

Reference:
Zayed, M., Ghazal, H., Othman, H.A., El-Aziz, E.A., Hassabo, A.G. (2025). "Functionalization of cotton fabric using bio-organic heat storage materials for human protection and thermal comfortability." Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-01328-0

Tags:

#SmartTextiles #PhaseChangeMaterials #CottonFabric #ThermalComfort #SustainableFashion #BioBasedMaterials #MaterialsScience #CoconutOil #WearableTech #QuantumServerNetworks

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