Electrically conductive textile element and method of producing same

Abstract

A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element that includes the steps of modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.

1 . A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element including the steps of:
 (i) modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and   (ii) coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step (i) includes modifying the surface of the textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte by in-situ free radical polymerisation. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the negatively-charged polyelectrolyte includes at least one of poly(methacrylic acid sodium salt) and poly(acrylic acid sodium salt). 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein step (i) includes modifying a silanized surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step (ii) includes coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles by electroless metal deposition. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the metal particles include at least one of copper and nickel particles. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the textile element includes at least one of a yarn and a fiber configured for being formed in to a fabric. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the textile element includes at least one of a polyester, nylon, cotton and silk yarn or fiber. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for producing an electrically conductive textile element including:
 an apparatus for modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and   a coating apparatus for coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the apparatus for modifying the surface of the textile element with the negatively-charged polyelectrolyte is configured to modify the surface of the textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte by in-situ free radical polymerisation. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the negatively-charged polyelectrolyte includes at least one of poly(methacrylic acid sodium salt) and poly(acrylic acid sodium salt). 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the apparatus for modifying the surface of the textile element with the negatively-charged polyelectrolyte is configured to modify a silanized surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the coating apparatus is configured to coat the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles by electroless metal deposition. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the metal particles include at least one of copper and nickel particles. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the textile element includes at least one of a yarn and a fiber configured for being formed in to a fabric. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the textile element includes at least one of a polyester, nylon, cotton and silk yarn or fiber. 
     
     
         17 . An electrically conductive textile element produced in accordance with the method steps of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A fabric formed from at least one textile element wherein the at least one textile element is produced in accordance with the method steps of  claim 1 .