Seoul National University · Materials Science
Professor Chung Hee Park's research lab specializes in advanced functional materials for textiles and surfaces, focusing on superhydrophobicity, biodegradability of cellulose-based fibers, and smart responsive materials. Key research directions include the development of superhydrophobic and breathable polyurethane webs using nanomaterials, surface engineering via plasma treatment and sol-gel processes, and the application of image processing to quantify optical roughness for predicting wettability. The lab also investigates shape memory polymers for intelligent textile applications, emphasizing structural control and performance evaluation in wearable technologies.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Abstract Biodegradability of cellulose fabrics was evaluated by use of a soil burial test, an activated sewage sludge test, and an enzyme hydrolysis. Surface changes after biodegradation were observed by optical microscopy. From X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), changes in the crystallinities and the internal structures as a result of degradation were also investigated. It was shown that biodegradability decreased in the following order: rayon > cotton ≫ acetate. Rayon fibers, which have a lo
The wetting behavior of a hydrophobic rough surface is investigated on a surface fabricated by applying low surface tension materials such as silicone or fluoropolymer to polyester woven fabric consisting of multifilament yarns. The roughness factor of various woven fabrics can be calculated by Wenzel’s and Cassie–Baxter’s equations. For the fabrics treated with silicone or fluoropolymer, the Cassie–Baxter model was applied, showing a level of agreement for the fabric specimens non-textured fila
Polyurethane (PU) is a unique polymeric material with excellent chemical and physical properties and is widely used in textile materials. There has been a need for superhydrophobic PU for wider applications, such as coating materials. In this research, SiO 2 nanoparticle (SNP) incorporated PU webs with superhydrophobic and breathable properties were prepared by one-step sol-gel electrospinning and post-treated with a non-fluorinated water repellent chemical, n-dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DTMS). SNP
This study proposes new optical roughness parameters that can be objectively quantified using image processing techniques, and presents an analysis of how these parameters are correlated with the degree of superhydrophobicity. To this end, photolithography and dry etching processes were used to form regular square pillars with different heights and spacings with a length of tens of micro-meters on silicon wafers. Optical roughness parameters of the specimens were obtained using image processing,
Abstract Electrospun web (ESW) was manufactured and its performance was evaluated to investigate its applicability as an intelligent clothing material using shape memory polymers. Mixtures of various compositions were applied to make the shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) films and the polyurethane with the best shape memory performance was then selected to make the ESWs. The structural and thermal properties, as well as the shape memory behavior were evaluated. The air permeability, the water vap
Plasma-induced etching and chemical vapor coating processes are well-known technologies that modify the wetting properties of polymeric surfaces by engineering the surface roughness and surface energy. The contributing effect of plasma treatment for O 2 etching and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) vapor coating on the wetting properties was investigated for polyamide 6 (PA6) and polypropylene (PP) substrates. The surface energy components of PA6 and PP were analyzed by the Owens–Wendt model, and wer
An intelligent textile with optimal environmental responses was developed from electrospun nanowebs with controllable pore structures via the spinning conditions. The use of shape memory polyurethane allowed the material’s shape to be retained and recovered through heating. The thickness of the electrospun nanoweb was varied so as to manufacture the membrane with various pore diameters. The samples were evaluated for shape memory performance, air and water vapor permeability. All samples showed
Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop a protective and thermally intelligent filler by optimizing the preparing conditions and the thermoresponsive property of PU foam. The specimens were polyurethane synthesized by a one step process with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polycaprolactone and 1,4‐butanediol. After dissolving the polyurethane in tetrahydrofuran, the polyurethane foam was manufactured by the salt leaching method. The appearance, compressive property, and thermal prope
This study developed a human-friendly energy-efficient superhydrophobic polypropylene (PP) fabric by oxygen plasma etching and short-term thermal aging without additional chemicals. The effect of the microroughness on the superhydrophobicity was examined by adjusting the weave density. After the PP fabric was treated with oxygen plasma etching for 15 min and thermal aging at 120 °C for 1 h (E15H120 1 h), the static contact and shedding angles were 162.7° ± 2.4° and 5.2° ± 0.7° and the energy con
Abstract A newly developed fluorine‐free method to render robust superhydrophobic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric is introduced with alkaline hydrolysis followed by thermal hydrophobic aging process, i.e., nonchemical finishing. The superhydrophobic PET fabric shows a static contact angle of 170.7° ± 2.4° and a shedding angle of 8.6° ± 0.7°. Breathability and color of the fabricated PET fabric are improved and not changed. The alkaline hydrolyzed and thermal hydrophobic aged PET fabric i
Alkaline hydrolysis is a common finishing method that is used to give polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) a more natural touch and improved luster via chemical or physical changes in the fibers. However, its potential as a tool for surface modification in the development of single-sided superhydrophobic materials has not been studied yet. In this research, Janus superhydrophobic PET fabrics with asymmetric wetting properties (one side of the PET surface was rendered superhydrophobic whil
The effects of cotton fabric structure and finishing on fiber emissions during washing and degradation were studied. Fabrics with different combinations of yarn count, weave structure, or weave density, and the fabrics dyed, water-repellent or peach skin finished were prepared. Significant fabric structural factors and resultant physical properties influencing the fiber release were statistically driven. The results showed that, on average, 16 wt% of the fibers was filtered through a washing mac
This study investigated the effects of fabric movement on detergency in a front-loading washer. To this end, various fabric movements of 3.25-kg loads were induced by controlling wash spin speeds at 34, 46, 50, and 54 r/min and detergency was measured, after which the correlation between the fabric movement and detergency at each wash speed was analyzed. The observed fabric movement characteristics were represented by 10 Fabric Movement Indexes (FMIs), with numerical values defined to describe f
Abstract We undertook this study to suggest the optimal spinning process conditions that provide a proper range of tenacity and biodegradability in textile fibers. The effect of melt‐spinning speed and heat treatment on the mechanical properties and biodegradability of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers were investigated. PLA was spun at a high spinning speed of 2000–4000 m/min, and each specimen was heat‐treated. Mechanical properties were estimated by measurement of the breaking stress, and the de
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