Lopamudra Nayak APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN TEXTILES

Nanotechnology is an emerging field that covers a wide range of technologies which are presently under development in nanoscale. This scale is also referred to as atomic or molecular scale which is 100 nanometers or smaller. The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) group, defines nanotechnology as a technology involving, at a minimum, all of the following: research at the 1 to 100 nm range; creating and using structures that have novel properties because of their small size; and the ability to control or manipulate at the atomic scale. In 1998, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), USA created an integrating working group on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET). This Subcommittee (NSET) of NSTC defined nanotechnology in the year 2000, as a "research and technology development at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, in the length scale of approximately 1-100 nanometers [nm], to provide a fundamental understanding of phenomena and materials at the nanoscale and to create and use structures, devices and systems that have novel properties and functions because of their small and/or intermediate size. Nanotechnology research and development includes manipulation under control of the nanoscale structures and their integration into larger material components, systems and architectures. Within these larger scale assemblies, the control and construction of their structures and components remains at the nanometer scale." NSET also notes exceptions at both ends of the scale, for example, nanoparticlereinforced polymers that exhibit novel properties and phenomena at around 200 to 300 nm owing to bonds between the nanoparticles and the polymer (Gorga,2010). Nanomaterials can be constructed by 'top down' techniques, producing very small structures from larger pieces of material. They may also be constructed by 'bottom up' techniques, atom by atom or molecule by molecule that can be achieved by two ways. The first being self-assembly, in which the atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a structure due to their natural properties and the second one is the positional assembly where tools are used to move each atom or molecule individually. Although this positional assembly offers greater control over construction, it is currently very laborious and not suitable for industrial applications. Truly revolutionary nanotechnology products, materials and applications, such as nanorobotics, are years in the future. What qualifies as "nanotechnology" today is basic research and development that is happening in laboratories all over the world. "Nanotechnology" products that are on the market today are mostly gradually improved

products (using evolutionary nanotechnology) where some form of nanotechnology enabled material (such as carbon nanotubes, nanocomposite structures or nanoparticles of a particular substance) or nanotechnology process (e.g. nanopatterning or quantum dots for medical imaging) is used in the manufacturing process (Nanowerk). The role of nanotechnology in textile industry. Unlike other areas, the challenges of textile sector are more related to the increase of comfort, newer dimensions and value addition rather than addressing the basic needs. The advent of nanotech has opened up a whole new vista of value-addition possibilities in the textile sector. The first commercial steps of nanotechnology have been made in the textile arena. (INNEUROTEX, March 2004). The first work on nanotechnology in textiles was undertaken by Nano-Tex, a subsidiary of the US-based Burlington Industries. Later, more and more textile companies began to invest in the development of nanotechnologies (Wong et al. 2006). Nanotechnology has versatile applications and have created fabrics/garments with antimicrobial qualities, UV protection, odor resistance, stain resistance, flame retardant, wrinkle resistance, moisture management, and soil release properties, etc. These materials may be softer, and easier to wash than at any time in history. The European technology platform (ETP) for the future of textiles and clothing presented in their strategic research agenda some of the most demanded functionalities of textiles and their present or future areas of application. Table: Textile functionalities and areas of application. source: European Technology Platform for the future of the textiles and clothing (EURATEX). Functionality Stain or water repellence Flame retardant Abrasion resistance Anti-static behaviour Anti-bacterial behaviour UV-protection Application Table cloth, curtains, furniture, cars, bus, airplanes seats All possible textile interiors of buildings and transportation systems Carpets, all types of seats covers Upholstery and seat covers Beddings, medical textiles Roofs, tents, awnings, blinds, curtains

Insect repellence Odour absorption

Tents, nets Bedding, furniture, car, bus, train, airplane seats

The technological approaches for the production of nano-related textiles. Nano-enabled functionalities are introduced into textiles following three main approaches: Fabrication of nanofibers. The best-established process for nanofibers fabrication is electrospinning. Various polymers have been successfully electrospun into ultrafine fibres mostly in solvent solution and some in melt form. 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 fibers can range from several microns to less than 100 nanometers. Electrospinning is a straightforward and cost effective method to produce novel fibers.The unique qualities of nanofibers (NF) make them an attractive candidate for new hi-tech products applications. The electrospinning process used by the present group easily incorporates particles of materials such as pigments, carbon black particles, and many others into the produced nanofibers. Surface modification. Surface modification is used to impart unique properties to fibers and fabrics. Of the three categories, it is the best established although not necessarily from a strictly "nano" perspective and has a large variety of technologies and applications. Applications range from water and stain repellency, wrinkle resistance and flame retardation to higher-tech applications such as microbe resistance, electro-textiles. Nanoparticle Composite Fibers. Of the three categories, nanoparticle composite fibers currently have the smallest commercial presence and remain largely of academic interest. However, there is no shortage of basic and developmental research occurring in this area. Incorporation of nanoparticles, such as silver particles or carbon nanotubes, can be used to create fibers that are antimicrobial or have increased strength and/or thermal/electrical conductivity. Conclusion. Textiles are changing thanks to nanotechnology. Nanotechnology in textile industry has accelerated with a positive momentum during the recent past years and is gradually finding its place in many consumer products by improving their performances. Nanotechnologys potential has led textile industries to dedicate a significant effort in the development of new products using nanotechnology. This enables the industries to provide consumers with new materials, which are capable of achieving previously unforeseen properties. References:

1. Euratex The EU-27 Textile & Clothing Industry in the year 2008 General assembly 5th of June 2009; Roberta Adinolfi. 2. Gorga, R. E. (November/December 2010). Nanotechnology In Textiles, Textile World. 3.http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/introduction/(accessed on July24, 2012) 4. INNEUROTEX, (March 2004). Heriot-Watt University. 5. Wong, Y. W. H., Yuen, C. W. M, Leung, M. Y. S., Ku, S. K. A. and Lam, H. L. I. (March 2006), Selected Applications of Nanotechnology in Textiles, AUTEX Research Journal, Vol. 6, No 1,