The term NANO in

Nanotechnology comes from

a greek word NANOS that
means dwarf, which is having
a dictionary meaning-
abnormally small.
Nanotechnology is the creation of
materials, components, devices,
and systems at the near-atomic, or
nanometer, level. Nano means
one-billionth. Thus
nanotechnology draws its name
from the scale at which the
technology operatesat
nanometers, or 1/1,000,000,000
(one one billionth) of a meter. This
almost inconceivably small
dimension is 100,000 times thinner
than a strand of human
hair. Individual atoms, the
fundamental building blocks of all
matter, are of this size.
The properties of substances changes
dramatically when their size is reduced
to nanometer range.
The individual particles exhibit
unexpected properties different than
those of bulk material.
For e.g. ceramics becomes deformable
& gold particle shows red colour in
nanometer scale range.
1 millimeter
1 micrometer
1 nanometer
1 nanometer
BACTERIA
VIRUSES
DNA
ATOM
HUMAN HAIR
RAINDROP
DIMENSION SCALE:
IMPORTANCE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY:

Nanotechnology is creating a wealth of
new materials & manufacturing
possibilities, which in turn will profoundly
impact our economy, our environment &
our society. Using nanotechnology
researchers & manufacturers can fabricate
materials literally molecule by molecule.
They can harness previously inaccessible
properties of matter & custom design, ultra
precise new structures and improve the
properties such as
materials with vastly increased strength
Vastly reduced weight
Greater electrical conductivity
Ability to change shape or colour etc.
NANOTECHNOLOGYS PROSPECT:

Nanotechnology is enhancing everyday products
such as sunscreens, golf clubs, clothing & cell
phones. Within the next decade, it will be a
common place in drug therapies, water filters, fuel
cells, power lines, computers, & a wide
commercial adoption of nanotechnology is
growing rapidly.
NANOTECHNOLOGY: A BOON TO CUSTOMERS:

R&D activities are going on all over the world to explore the possiiblities of
applications of this technology in the production of high performance textile
through modification of fibers, yarns & fabrics or incorporation of nano particles in
form of finishing treatments.
Innovations:
Some innovations in nanotechnology which are being used today to improve
& help our lives:
Stain free clothing, carpet, furnishing & mattresses
Light weight, bullet proof vests & shirts
Shirt, jackets that will not rip, tear /wear holes
Clothing that scans the body for a better fit
Soldiers uniforms that change color to the surrounding temperature, lighting
wind &rain
Instant water proofing
Anti fog glasses
Clothing that conduct heat & electricity
Better moisture management & spill stain resistance
UV absorption
Antistatic & antimicrobial capablity.
NANOTECHNOLOGY AND
TEXTILES:
Although, textile industry is small part of the
global research in the emerging areas of nano-
technology, the fibres and textiles industries in
fact were the first to have successfully
implemented these advances and demonstrated
the applications of nanotechnology for consumer
usage
With the advent of nano technology, a new area
has developed in the realm of textile finishing.
Nan coating the surface of textiles, clothing, and
textiles for footwear is one approach to the
production of highly active surfaces to have UV-
blocking, antimicrobial and self-cleaning
properties. The self-cleaning property can be
imparted by nano-TiO
2
/nano-ZnO coating.
nanotechnology and its applications to cotton textiles and fibers
The technology can be used in
engineering desired textile attributes,
such as fabric softness, durability,
and breath ability and in developing
advanced performance
characteristics, namely, water
repellency, fire retardancy,
antimicrobial resistance, etc in fibers,
yarns and fabrics.
Advances in Fabric Finishes

One of the leading companies to implement the nano-
technology is Nano-TexTM.
They have developed several fabric treatments such as
(a) permanent anti-static treatment;
(b) wrinkle free treatment using moisture-wicking
technology;
(c)stain resistance and oil repellent treatments; and
(d) nanobeads to carry bioactive or anti-biological agents,
drugs, pharmaceuticals, sun blocks, and even textile dyes by
developing the novel nano-technologies .
These treatments onto textile substrates permanently alter
properties of the textiles and are claimed
to exhibit superior durability, softness, tear strength, abrasion
resistance and capable of providing softness to durable press
garments.
For finishing purposes, another leading technology is chemical oxidative
deposition technology, which deals with
the deposition of Conducting Electroactive Polymers (CEP) onto different kinds
of fibers and textiles, resulting
composite materials with high tensile strength and good thermal stability .

Furthermore, Surface polymerization of CEP (Graft copolymerization) of
polymer fibers has a potential to increase the conductivity almost 10 times by
decreasing the electrical resistivity . Such coated polymeric composite materials
can be used in microwave attenuation, EMI shielding, and dissipation of static
electric charge. Hence, they can be useful for military applications, e.g.,
camouflage, stealth technology, etc.,
By combining the nano-particles with the organic and inorganic compounds, the
surfaces of the fabrics treated with
abrasion resistant, water repellent, ultraviolet (UV), electromagnetic and
infrared protection finishes can be
appreciably modified. Recently, the titanium-dioxide nanoparticles have been
utilized for the UV protection
Also by using nano-sized silicon dioxide,
improvements in the
strength and flame-resistance of textile
fabrics can be achieved . The usage of
nanoengineered
cross-link agents during finishing process
enhances the wrinkle resistance of cotton
fabrics . The newly developed micro
encapsulation technique is being used in
textile industry for flame or fire
retardant (FR) agents. Microcapsules
containing silver nano-particles (Silver
Cap) are also being investigated for
providing anti-microbial effects
APPLICATIONS OF NANO COATINGS:
Molecular enhancement of a fabric is a 3 step
process:
1. Molecules are designed which have performance
characteristics.
2. Molecules are engineered to assemble in a
precise order on the fiber.
3. they are permanently attached to the fabrics.

BASICALLY 2 METHODS OF
MANUFACTURING EXISTS:
1. Top-Down
2. Bottom-Up

In TOP-DOWN method, researchers selectively reform
or modify the starting material to create a material
with new functionality at a small scale.

Whereas in BOTTOM-UP approach, a reverse way is
used, building larger & more complex systems from
elementary components.
Nanotech, is often referred to being bottom-up
which means producing materials through assembling
molecule by molecule & atom by atom.
1. SMART OUTFITS: these are made up of fabric that are mixed to
transfer information. For e.g. Smart jacket: that automatically heats &
lights up when it is cold or dark, vital parameters like heart rate,
respiration rate, body temperature & UV exposure can be calculated.
These silver coated jacket have tiny microscopic wires interwoven
into the fabric itself that light up the jacket at night & a physiological
monitor on the left wrist & sensors of jacket regulate an electro
conductive textile to keep the wearer warm.
2. COLOR CHANGING CLOTHS: these clothing are made from extremely
thin thread of glass & plastic is equipped with a tiny, light weight
battery pack. When you want to change your clothings color, you
have to push a button, the thread changes color. Application: military,
fashion.
3. FRAGNANT CLOTHING: Rieled & tielz brought some dramatic fabrics.
These fabrics releases some aromas & odors. There are a number of
fields of applications of such perfumery clothing like undergarments &
other accessories like gloves, socks etc. sports wear, casual wear,
footwear & beddings.
4. DYESTUFF FILTERATIONS: Nanofilteration is the biggest application of
nanotechnology in dyestuff industries to improve the quality of the
products. Liquid dyes can become unstable during storage & sometimes
salt can precipitate out into vessels. Nanofilteration is proving to be an
ideal method for this salt removal & stabilize the dyes.
5. NANOFIBERS: Nanofibers, with diameter 100nm, have surface area per
unit mass, high porosity, excellent structural & mechanical properties &
higher flexibility. They are very useful for filtration, barriers, wipes &
some medical applications. Apart from this, they are also useful as an
alternative to building electronic circuits.
Nano-Finishes:
The 1
st
commercial application of nanotech
in the textile & clothing industry was in the
form of nano particle(nano bead) through a
finishing process which is generally known
as nano finishing. Ideally discrete molecules
of nano particles of finishes can be brought
individually to designated sites on textile
materials in a specific orientation &
trajectory through thermodynamic,
electrostatic or other technical approaches.
FUNCTIONAL FINISHING:
Application of ultrafine particles, produced
using nanotechnology in textile finishing
Aimed at imparting multifunctional properties
as-
UV resistant
anti-bacterial
Moisture control
These properties are achieved through
changing fabric at molecular level by nanotech.

i. NANO-CARE: NEXT GENERATION CAREFREE FINISHING THAT
WITHSTAND 50 WASHES. This technology brings about an entirely
carefree f/c with wrinkle resistant, shrink proof, water & stain
repellant properties, to cellulosic fibers such as cotton & linen. Nano
care withstands more than 50 home launderings
ii. NANO-PEL: HIGHLY DURABLE WATER & OIL REPELLANT FINISHING.
This nanotech application of water & oil repellant finishing is
effective for use in natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool & silk as
well as synthetics such as polyester, nylon & acrylic. nano-pel cotton
withstands 50 home launderings. It can endure 20 dry cleanings
when applied to wool or linen, a distinctive feature in contrast to
conventional methods that display poor, if any durability.
iii. NANO-DRY: DURABLE HYDROPHILIC FINISHING OF SYNTHETICS. It
improves moisture absorption properties of nylon & polyester,
making them hydrophilic. The finish lasts more than 50 home
launderings. the main application areas are nylon & polyester
sportswear & undergarments that require perspiration absorbency.
Its application is considered to become application is considered to
become requisite for synthetic uniforms.
iv. NANO-TOUCH: CREATING ULTIMATE COMBINATION OF SYNTHETICS &
COTTON FEATURES. This finishing technology gives a durable cellulose
wrapping over synthetic fiber. Cellulosic sheath & synthetic core together
form a concentric structure to bring overall solutions to the drawbacks of
synthetics such as static charge, artificial hand & glaring lustre. It can last
for 50 home launderings.
v. NANO-PRESS: HIGHLY DURABLE DIMENSION STABLISING OF 1005 COTTON.
Nano-Press maintains approximately the same tensile strength of weft and
warp yarns as that of the original, or it gives a little enhancement.
NANOSPHERE:
Schoeller textiles AG, Switzerland
Imparts water-repellant, dirt-repellant, anti-adhesive & self-cleaning
finishing to textiles.
Innovative & efficient process
Environmental-friendly
Inspired by nature
lotus leaves, beetle shells& insect wings stay clean due to the difficulty that
the particles of dirt have in sticking to their infinitesimal rough, structured
surfaces, letting even the lightest rainfall to clean the surface.
By applying nanosphere to textiles, a special micro-rough 3d surface
structure is created, limiting the available contact surface for dirt particles.
The remaining particles are suspended in drops of water & are easily swept
away as the water drops.
Substances like ketchup, honey, red wine & blood are simply repelled or
rinsed off with water quickly & effortlessely.


Features:
The water repellant function of nanosphere treated materials is
considerably higher compared to materials treated with existing methods.
Breathability is not affected
Considerable improvement in abrasion resistance.
Finish is resistant to repeated washing.
Suited for: outdoor, leisure, & sports clothing, business suits & protective
work equipment as well as home furnishing & medical applications.
If the substance doesnt off on its own accord, then simply rinsing it with
water will work.
Textiles with this kind of self cleaning effect makes them very easy care
with attractive benefits to consumers.
It leads savings in cleaning as-
The garment need to be washed less often and at lower temperatures
& less water & detergent consumed, leading to a lower environmental
impact.
applies to both private households & industrial applications.

Nanosphere technology meets the bluesign standard.
It guarantees the greatest possible exclusion of substances which
are harmful to humans or the environment & the most economical
use of resources.
NISSHINBO INDUSTRIES, JAPAN- has developed
22 brand products GAICOT & AG FRESH .
AG FRESH is an antibacterial, deodorant material
for use in apparel- as health oriented,
comfortable next generation materials.
NISSHINBO has developed the zeolite/cotton
complex GAIACOT for the finishing of cotton
woven & nonwoven fabrics. It has been
commercialised as a microbial, deodorant
material.
The properties include absorption of unpleasant odours of ammonia, hydrogen
sulfide, trimethylamine & methyl mercaptan. The capacity for absorbing ammonia
gas exceeds more than twice that of active carbon. It is possible to incorporate
properties such as virus inactivation & resistance to fungus through the absorption
of metallic ions, such as copper, silver & zinc, making use of zeolites ion exchanging
properties.
The safeness of zeolite has already been confirmed with regard to mutagenicity, oral
toxicity, fish toxicity & skin sensitising properties.

Zeolite is a crystalline mineral with many micropores, consisting of aluminum,
silicon & sodium. Its use is found in many fields, including the removal of odour,
moisture & harmful gases, the preservation of fresh food & in antibacterial agents.
Nisshinbo has created a complex material by penetrating & crystallising zeolite
liquor within the interior of fibre during the dyeing or finishing thereby
materialising a zeolite/ cotton complex. It is an inorganic cotton complex, which has
entirely different properties from the conventional unfinished cotton.
GAIACOT
AG FRESH .
It is a well known fact that the growth of microorganisms in food or water is prevented
when stored in silver vessels due to its antibacterial properties. These properties of
silver are now scientifically recognised. However, laundering fastness levels & the
quality of hand remained problematic in applications in fibre through the traditional
means of surface fixation.
Nisshinbo has incorporated sliver particles in minute size of around 4 nm into the fibre
through the use of the latest nanotechnolgy. A material of superior antibacterial,
deodrant properties with good laundering fastness has been brought about by letting
silver particles penetrate beyond the surface & into the fibre itself.

Applications: uniforms; casual wear; shirts; bedding; nightwear; undergarments; polo
shirts & handkerchiefs.
Self cleaning clothes
coating of cotton with titanium dioxide.
These nanoparticles break carbon based molecules
Titaniun dioxide particles- 20nm
Tackle dirt, environmental pollutants &micro organisms
Method: padding cotton fabric with aqueous slurry of nanosize
titanium dioxide, drying & heating 97*C for 15mins. Then 3 hr. boiling in
water.
Flame retardants: used for nonwovens, textiles & fr coatings.
Advantages over conventional Antimony Trioxide systems:
Better penetration of the substrate
Less whitening effect for deep colours
Easier handling & processing
Translucency for coatings, films & laminates
High fr efficiency

WL Gore & associates specialises in the
production of fabrics designed to help wearers
feel safe and comfortable in extreme
environment such as mountaineering, fire
fighting or sports activity

Here use of laminating micro-porous film of
PTFE between 2 layers of fabrics.
DU PONT TEFLON STAIN PROTECTION:
It is a durable flurochemical finish.
It forms an invisible shield around
each fibre.
Usually acrylic or urethene based.
Fluorocarbon side chains pack
together to creaate a stain resistant
surface.
Best orientation of side chain occurs
when there is subjected to heat during
processing, or during dry pressing after
washing.
Release: teflon stain release allows stains
to be removed more during laundering
than most common untreated fabrics, as a
result, stains temporarily soak into the
fabric. Hydrophilic water- loving portion
of finish draws in detergent & water,
stains wash out more easily.


Nanotechnology in textile finishing


What is sol-gel processing?


It is a process for making very small particle 20 to 40 nm that are
virtually impossible to make by conventional grinding. Its main use
at present seems to be for optical coatings where the finer
particles give better optical clarity. Manufacture of fine a ceramic
fibre seems to be the other common application
How does sol-gel processing work?


A liquid precursor of the particle is dissolved in a solvent,
usually alcohol, water is added and then acid or base. The
mixture is coated or cast. The precursor then decomposes
to form the fine ceramic particles. If the particle
concentration is high enough, the mixture gels.
The gel is dried, and then heated at high temperature to
sinter the ceramic, giving the desired ceramic film or fibre.
During this drying and sintering process, shrinkage occurs
through loss of solvent and air, and this shrinkage must be
carefully controlled to avoid cracking
Self-cleaning textiles


The German researcher Wilhelm Barthlott of the Bonn Institute of botany
discovered, in 1990, that the lotus plant, admired for the resplendence of its
flowers and leaves, owed this property of self-cleaning to the high density of
minute surface protrusions. These protrusions catch deposits of soil
preventing them from sticking.
When it rains, the leaf has a hydrophobic reaction. Water rolls around as
droplets, removing dust as it moves. Reproduced for nano teechnological
process on the surface of woven fabrics, this self-cleaning property can be
developed as a technological innovation. The fabric will have specific
applications such as sails or certain garments.
A self-cleaning cotton fabric known as nanocare was developed and is
marketed by an American Company, Nanotex and stain-resistant jeans and
khakis are available since 1990. Nanocare fabrics are created by modifying
the cylindrical structure of the cotton fibres making the fabric. At the
nanoscale, cotton fibres like tree trunks. Using nanotechniques, these tree
trunks are covered in a fuzz of minute whiskers which creates a cushion of
air around the fibre. When water hits the fabric, it beads on the points of the
whiskers, the beads compress the air in the cavities between the whiskers
creating extra buoyancy. In technical terms, the fabric has been rendered
super-non wettable or super-hydrophobic.
The whiskers also create fewer points of contact for dirt. When water is
applied to soiled fabric, the dirt adheres to the water far better than it
adheres to the textile surface and is carried off with the water as it beads up
and rolls off the surface of the fabric. Thus the concept of "Soil-cleaning" is
based on the leaves of the lotus plant.
Antimicrobial finish


It is a well-known fact that the growth of
bacteria and microorganisms in food or water
is prevented when stored in silver vessels due
to its antibacterial properties. The anti-
bacterial properties of silver are now
scientifically recognised. Silver ions have broad
'spectrum of anti microbial activities. The
method of producing durable silver containing
antimicrobial finish is to encapsulate silver
compound or nano particle with a fibre
reactive polymer Iike poly (styrene co-maleic
anhydride).
UV protective finish

the most important functions
performed by the garment are to
protect the wearer from the weather.
However it is also to protect the wearer
from harmful rays of the sun. The rays
in the wavelength region of 150 to 400
nm are known as ultraviolet radiations.
The UV-blocking property of a fabric is
enhanced when a dye, pigment,
delustrant, or ultraviolet absorber finish
is present that absorbs ultraviolet
radiation and blocks its transmission
through a fabric to the skin
Metal oxides like ZnO as UV-blocker are more
stable when compared to organic UV-blocking
agents. Hence, nano ZnO will really enhance
the UV-blocking property due to their increase
surface area and intense absorption in the UV
region. For antibacterial finishing, ZnO
nanoparticles scores over nano-silver in cost-
effectiveness, whiteness, and UV-blocking
property.
Fabric treated with UV absorbers ensures that
the clothes deflect the Harmful ultraviolet rays
of the sun, reducing a persons UVR exposure
and protecting the skin from potential damage.
The extent of skin protection required by
different types of human skin depends on UV
radiation intensity & distribution in reference
to geographical location, time of day, and
season. This protection is expressed as SPF
(Sun Protection Factor), higher the SPF Value
better is the protection against UV radiation
Characteristics of nano finishing in garments
Nano-processed garments have protective coating, which is water and beverage
repellent.
Their protective layer is difficult to detect with the naked eye.
When a substance is manipulated at sizes of approximately 100 nm, the structure of
the processed clothing becomes more compressed. This makes clothing stain- and dirt-
resistant.
Saving time and laundering cost.
This technology embraces environmental friendly properties.
Nano-materials allow good ventilation and reduce moisture absorption, resulting in
enhanced breathability while maintaining the good hand feel of ordinary material.
The crease resistant feature keeps clothing neat.
Nano-processed products are toxic free.
Garments stay bright, fresh looking and are more durable than ordinary materials.
Manufacturing cost is low, adding value to the products.
Nanotechnology applications in textiles


Due to the advancement of nano-technology in the
manufacturing of fibres/yarns as well as in the development
of fabric finishes, the applications and scope of
nanotechnology in the area of textiles are widespread

Conclusion


There is a significant potential for profitable applications of Nano-technology in cotton
and other textiles.

Several applications of Nano-technology can be extended to attain the performance
enhancement of textile manufacturing machines & processes. In future, interdisciplinary
research collaborations will lead to significant advancements in the desirable attributes
of cotton and cotton blend textile applications.

The textile industry has the biggest customer base in the world. Therefore, advances in
the customer-oriented products should be the focus for the future nanotechnology
applications.

The future research should be targeted on developing improved dirt, crease and shrink
resistance properties in fabrics, temperature adaptable clothing and odour-Iess
undergarments.