Rejection of far infrared radiation from the human body using Cu–Ni–P–Ni nanocomposite electroless plated PET fabric

Abstract

An experimental investigation was utilized to present the IR rejection performance of Cu–Ni–P–Ni composite double-layer electroless plated PET fabric compared to fabric samples composed of Cu–Ni–P metallic monolayer. Accordingly, the effect of a range of operational parameters was explored on the conductivity of electroless plated PET fabric. Results indicate higher conductivity and lower durability for Cu–Ni–P-coated samples compared to its counterpart with same sub-layer included with nickel on top layer. The SEM image of Cu–Ni–P particle on PET fabric shows a hexagonal non-homogenous morphology with nanoscale crack on its surface. However, the micrograph of the Cu–Ni–P–Ni electroless plated fabric shows an extremely compact and continuous phase with clear boundaries containing semispherical particles. The thermopile radiated sensing system was used as a sophisticated device to show the thermal energy absorption level. The acquired data indicate a 2.3 and 2.7 unit reduction in transmitted radiated power, respectively, for Cu–Ni–P and Cu–Ni–P–Ni conducting fabric. The captured thermal camera images of human body while keeping in front of a Cu–Ni–P conducting fabric revealed a nearly black and blue feature which proves the significant decrease in body radiated thermal energy. However, the thermal image of Cu–Ni–P–Ni conductive fabric shows almost black appearance in all areas. It can be presumably due to improving of the IR rejection performance and also formation of a massive barrier against body thermal radiation for promising camouflage applications.