Author(s):
1. Dragana Grujić, Faculty of Technology Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Branka Ružičić, Faculty of Technology Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Blanka Škipina, Faculty of Technology Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Aleksandar Savić, Faculty of Technology Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
5. Biljana Pećanin, Univerzitet u Banjoj Luci, Tehnološki fakultet, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
6. Tanja Rauš, University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Technology, Vojvode Stepe Stepanovića 73, 78000 Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
7. Saša Papuga, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
8. Stefano Vecchio Ciprioti, Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering, Building RM017, Via del Castro Laurenziano 7, I-00161 Rome, Italy, Italy
9. Dijana Jelić, Univerzitet u Banjoj Luci, Prirodno-matematički fakultet, Studijski program Hemija, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
This study investigates how the amount of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), calcium chloride hexahydrate and di-sodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate, as phase change materials (PCMs), influenced the improvement of thermophysiological comfort in clothing. PCMs in the form of a paste with added Salvia rosmarinus essential oil (SREO) were applied to cotton knitted fabrics (Co) and T-shirts by screen-printing. Physiological parameters of the subjects (skin temperature and humidity), together with the amount of stored and released heat, confirmed that PVA in PCMs helped maintain body temperature within the comfort zone. MSR sensors showed that T-shirts printed with PCMs containing higher PVA concentrations stabilized skin temperature in the range of 33–34.5 °C and reduced skin humidity by 35%. In addition to thermoregulation, incorporation of SREO imparted antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Such multifunctional textiles offer promising applications in sportswear and medical clothing, where both thermal comfort and antimicrobial properties are essential.

Key words:
polyvinyl alcohol,phase change materials,Salvia rosmarinus essential oil,thermophysiological comfort,antimicrobial textiles.

Date of abstract submission:
06.09.2026.

Conference:
Contemporary Materials 2026 - Savremeni Materijali

Applied paper from author