Textile photochromic sensors as elements of bio-epoxy resin composites

Abstract

This study concerns wool photochromic sensors incorporated into bio-epoxy resin composites strengthened by natural (flax, wool) and man-made (glass, carbon) fibres. The sensors were developed using a cost-effective, ecological screen-printing method on wool fabric. Upon exposure to UVA radiation, a reversible colour change from white to pink is visible, with the intensity increasing as the absorbed dose increases. The paper presents the color-changing characteristics of the sensors, performed using reflectance spectrophotometry. Additionally, the morphology of the composites was imaged using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and their structure was examined with Micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT). Finally, the potential applications of these materials for measuring the 2D/3D UV dose distribution and as UV exposure indicators of composite materials were discussed.