HYBRID PLASMA-SOL-GEL TECHNOLOGIES FOR FLAME RETARDANCY AND NIR CAMOUFLAGE OF MILITARY TEXTILES: REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68302/std2026.vol2.173Keywords:
DBD plasma, flame retardancy, military textiles, NIR camouflageAbstract
This review examines hybrid technologies combining dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment and sol-gel nanocomposite coatings to improve the performance of military textiles. The paper examines cotton/polyester (CO/PES) blended fabrics that exhibit good physicomechanical and comfort properties but limited thermal resistance. The reviewed literature identifies DBD plasma as an effective surface activation method that improves textile adhesion and chemical reactivity through the formation of active functional groups. The sol-gel silica matrix serves as a stable carrier for halogen-free phosphorus-nitrogen refractory systems and functional additives, contributing to improved limiting oxygen index (LOI) values and increased coating wash durability. In addition to fire protection, the reviewed studies demonstrate the potential for controlling spectral reflectance in the near-infrared (NIR) region by incorporating selected pigments, carbon-based materials, and metal oxide additives into the hybrid coating system. Such modifications can reduce the optical detectability of military textiles while maintaining the flexibility and comfort of the fabric. Based on the reviewed studies, the paper proposes a conceptual technological model for multifunctional military textiles with controlled spectral properties and improved thermomechanical performance. The review also outlines key performance indicators and future experimental directions for validating the proposed hybrid plasma-sol-gel concept on CO/PES military fabrics.
Supporting Agencies
This work was supported by the National Scientific Program „Security and Defence” funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the framework of the National Strategy for the Development of Scientific Research 2017–2030, adopted by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 731 of October 21, 2021.Downloads
References
[1] [L. M. Degenstein, D. Sameoto, J. D. Hogan, A. Asad, and P. I. Dolez, “Smart textiles for visible and IR camouflage applications,” Micromachines, vol. 12, no. 7, p. 773, 2021,
doi: 10.3390/mi12070773
[2] S. Dong, Y.-T. Huang, X. Zhang, S.-S. Cheng, X.-W. Cheng, and J.-P. Guan, “Enhancing the flame retardancy of polyester/cotton blend fabrics,” Materials, vol. 17, no. 6, p. 1346, 2024, doi: 10.3390/ma17061346
[3] R. Horrocks and D. Price, Fire Retardant Materials. Cambridge, U.K.: Woodhead Publishing, 2001, ISBN: 9781855734197.
[4] R. Shishoo, Ed., Plasma Technologies for Textiles. Cambridge, U.K.: Woodhead Publishing, 2007, ISBN: 9781845690731.
[5] H.-T. Ngo, K. Vu Thi Hong, and T.-B. Nguyen, “Surface modification by DBD plasma,” Polymers, vol. 13, no. 17, p. 3011, 2021, doi: 10.3390/polym13173011
[6] N. Huong, K. Vu Thi Hong, and L. Nguyen, “Optimizing Pyrovatex CP New treatment,” Industria Textila, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 315–323, 2021, doi: 10.35530/IT.072.03.1648
[7] H. Nguyen Thi, K. Vu Thi Hong, T. Ngo Ha, and D.-N. Phan, “Plasma activation in flame-retardant treatment,” Polymers, vol. 12, no. 7, p. 1575, 2020, doi: 10.3390/polym12071575
[8] S. Sfameni, M. Hadhri, G. Rando, D. Drommi, G. Rosace, V. Trovato, and M. R. Plutino, “Inorganic finishing for textile fabrics: Recent advances in wear-resistant, UV protection and antimicrobial treatments,” Inorganics, vol. 11, no. 1, p. 19, 2023, doi: 10.3390/inorganics11010019
[9] A. P. Periyasamy, M. Venkataraman, D. Křemenáková, J. Militký, and Y. Zhou, “Progress in sol-gel coatings,” Materials, vol. 13, no. 8, p. 1838, 2020, doi: 10.3390/ma13081838
[10] G. Malucelli, “Sol-gel and layer-by-layer coatings for flame-retardant cotton fabrics: Recent advances,” Coatings, vol. 10, no. 4, p. 333, 2020, doi: 10.3390/coatings10040333
[11] C. J. Brinker and G. W. Scherer, Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing. San Diego, CA, USA: Academic Press, 1990, doi: 10.1016/C2009-0-22386-5
[12] L. F. Rico, O. Conejero Iglesias, R. B. de la Rua García, J. Moriones Domeño, J. Fernández de Ara, and G. G. Fuentes, “Modular UV curing sol-gel coating for invisible, leveling and easy to clean multi-layer systems,” Materials, vol. 16, no. 15, p. 5442, 2023, doi: 10.3390/ma16155442
[13] G. Y. Bae, B. G. Min, Y. G. Jeong, S. C. Lee, J. H. Jang, and G. H. Koo, “Superhydrophobicity of cotton fabrics treated with silica nanoparticles and water-repellent agent,” Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 337, no. 1, pp. 170–175, 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.04.066
[14] E. Visileanu, E. Perdum, L. Dinca, A. Salistean, F. Dondea, and R. Scarlat, “Advanced materials with infrared camouflage properties,” in Human Factors for Apparel and Textile Engineering, G. Montagna and C. Carvalho, Eds., vol. 134, AHFE International, 2024, [Accessed: May 19, 2026], doi: 10.54941/ahfe1004910
[15] Y. Su, B. Yu, and X. Zhao, “Research status and development of infrared camouflage textile materials,” Textile Research Journal, vol. 93, nos. 21–22, pp. 5047–5082, 2023, doi: 10.1177/00405175231170323
[16] M. Khajeh Mehrizi, S. M. Mortazavi, S. Mallakpour, S. M. Bidoki, M. Vik, and M. Vikova, “Effect of carbon black nanoparticles on reflective behavior of printed cotton/nylon fabrics in visible/near infrared regions,” Fibers and Polymers, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 501–506, 2012, doi: 10.1007/s12221-012-0501-5
[17] P. Gencheva, R. Milyovska, D. Zheleva, and D. S. Angelova, “Flame-resistant fabrics for military applications: Effects of repeated washing on physico-mechanical and color properties,” in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference TEXTEH 2025, Bucharest, Romania, 2025, pp. 93–99, doi: 10.2478/9788368412048
[18] M. Lewin, Ed., Handbook of Fiber Chemistry, 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press, 2006, doi: 10.1201/9781420015270
[19] K. Kostova, “New generation of fabrics for field camouflage clothing,” in Proceedings of the Scientific Conference HEMUS 2010: Partnership, Research and Technologies for Defense, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2010, pp. I-121–I-126, ISSN: 1312-2916.
[20] G. Zanchettin et al., “Processing of fabrics with inorganic agents,” Cellulose, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 2687–2712, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s10570-023-05060-8
[21] D. S. Angelova, D. Zheleva, and P. Gencheva, “Comparison of the physico-mechanical properties of metal oxides applied as antibacterial finishes for lining materials for shoes,” in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference TEXTEH 2025, Bucharest, Romania, 2025, pp. 8–15, doi: 10.2478/9788368412048
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rumyana Milyovska, Petia Gencheva
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
