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Nano Technology in Textiles: A Review

Written by: Vanali Ballikar

This document gives the importance of nanotechnology in the field of textiles. The author has done a
study on the different sectors of textiles where nanotechnology is introduced. The study reveals that

nanotechnology is emerging in every field of life and is based on the principles of simple to complex. The
study also highlights the benefits of nanotechnology in textiles.

Introduction:
Nano- The word nano means "dwarf" in Latin, as per the scientific dictionary Nano means "very small or
at a microscopic level, one billionth of a second"

Nanotechnology is the study and application of small things that can be used widely in fields of
engineering, science, chemistry, physics, biology etc. Nanotechnology was first introduced to the world of
science by physicist Richard Feynman at an American Physical meeting at California Institute of
Technology on 29th Dec 1959, the talk title being "There's plenty of room at the bottom"

K. Eric Drexler is credited to popularize the word" nano technology in the 1980s also known as the
"Founding father of nanotechnology"

A more generalised description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by the National

Nanotechnology Initiative, which defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one
dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres.

Everything on this Earth is made of atoms, our food, our clothes, plants etc and of course ourselves.
Scientists involved in nanotechnology have adapted or rather mimicked the nature's way to develop
products which have advantages as well as added benefits in terms of performance, functionality, and
durability.

Textiles and Nanotechnology:

Concept of nanotechnology used in textiles on fibre and fabric is nothing but adapted from nature. E.g.
how the lotus leaf stays dry in spite of being in water. The same way fabrics are modified so as to repel
soil, dirt, etc and to remain clean and fresh using the nanotechnology principle. The nature has its in
-built nanotechnology like the lotus leaf which repels water from its surface and hence the water droplets
are seen on the upper surface, all this is done by the waxy nano leaf fibres growing on the outer surface of
the leaf. Man studied this art of nature and used the same technology on the surface of the fabrics and has
created special smart fabrics, to repel soil, dirt and remain clean and fresh forever. The Teflon principle of
nanotechnology is a way of creating dirt free fabrics.

Nanotechnology in textiles is used to develop desired textile characteristics, such as high tensile strength,
unique surface structure, soft hand, durability, water repellence, fire retardance, and antimicrobial
properties.

This technology is used in various sections of the textile industry: at the fibre stage, surface finish to fibre,
Fabric stage (surface finish) or garment stage.

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NanoFibres: Electro spinning is the process for nanofibres fabrication, which has patents extending
back to the early and mid-1900s. In the process, electrostatic forces are used to draw a solution or melt
polymer fluid into a fibrous form. Depending on the materials system and processing conditions, resulting
fibres can range from several microns to less than 100 nanometres. Fibres used in the textile industry are
notably improved by nanotechnology; one example is nanocellulose, which combines low cost,
lightweight, electric conductivity, environmentally friendly resources and high resistance, thus opening an
immensely vast scope of possible applications, nanotechnology-enabled apparel can both protect the
wearer from pathogens, toxic gases, and other hazardous substances, benefiting the medical and rescue
services as well as in the military, and allow the constant monitoring of body functions in applications
ranging from regenerative activities to the enhancement of the quality of life of sufferers of long-term
diseases.

Surface Modification: Fibre stage/fabric Stage

Surface modification is used to impart unique properties to fibres and fabrics. It is also an area that raises
the most scrutiny as to whether or not the technology can actually be considered nanotechnology based on
the modification process and the coating thickness.

Applications range from water and stain repellence, wrinkle resistance and flame retardation to high-tech
applications such as microbe resistance, electro-textiles - such as printed circuit boards - and
chemical/biological detection and other protective applications.

Commercial applications range from the Speedo LZR swimsuit - using a cold plasma technology to repel
water - to the Nano-Tex technique of pad-applying to a fabric or dip/spray-applying to a garment with
solution containing particles to create so-called nano-whiskers on the surface of a cotton fibre. The biggest
issue with surface modification, especially in older technologies, is longevity. Many coatings become
depleted as a function of wear, or abrasion, and washing. Therefore, nanotechnologies employing strong
bonding to the surface of the fibre are eagerly sought and under development.

Examples of industries where nanotech-enhanced textiles are already seeing some application include the
sporting industry, skincare, space technology and clothing and material technologies for better protection

in extreme environments. Treating textiles with nanotechnology materials is a method to improve the
properties of the textile, making it longer, durable, and have nicer colours etc. Nanotechnology can also be
used to add new functionalities like energy storage and communications.

Some examples of nano improved textiles currently on the market are:

Stain
repellent
and
wrinkle-resistant
threads
woven
in
textiles
Body warmers use Phase Change Materials (PCMs) responding to changing body temperatures
Nano socks treated with silver nano particles. The silver acts against infection and odour

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Nano Materials
The nonmaterial's field includes subfields which develop or study materials having unique properties
arising from their nanoscale dimensions.

Interface and colloid science has given rise to many materials which may be useful in nanotechnology,
such as carbon nanotubes and other fullerenes, and various nanoparticles and nanorods. Nanomaterials
with fast ion transport are related also to nanoionics and nanoelectronics.
Table: Commercially available nano-particles for textile applications

Sr
N
o

Nanoparticles

Properties

Silver nanoparticles

Anti-bacterial finishing

Fe nanoparticles

Conductive magnetic properties, remote heating.

ZnO and TiO2

UV-protection,
catalysis

TiO2 and MgO

Chemical and biological protective performance,

fiber

protection,

oxidative

provide self-sterilizing function.

5

SiO2 or Al2O3 Nano- Super water repellent finishing.

particles with PP or PE
coating

Indium-tin
nanoparticles

Ceramic nanoparticles

Carbon
nanoparticles

Clay nanoparticles

oxide EM / IR protective clothing.

Increasing resistance to abrasion.

black Increasing resistance to abrasion, chemical

resistance and impart electrical conductivity,
coloration of some textiles.
High electrical, heat and chemical resistance

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Conclusion
Nanotextiles are emerging in textiles by creating smart or rather intelligent textiles. To create, alter, and
improve textiles at the molecular level and increase durability and performance beyond that of normal
textiles are possible now that nanotechnology is in the arena. To continue this favourable trend, the textile
industry should contribute more to research in nanotechnology and intensify its collaboration with other
disciplines. With the changing trends and demands of the customer, it is the need of the age to make use
of the technology available today. These applications and developments show that nanotechnology will
emerge to dominate the textile field in future.

References:
1). www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/defination
2). www.cranono.org
3). www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnologywikipedia
4). www.fibre2fashion.com/article/mazharulislamkiron

5). www.nanotextna.org/sectors/textiles

6). www.textiletoday.com.bd/oldsite/magazine/68
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