We hear about technological advancements every day. These advancements are used on a daily basis to make our lives better and to provide us with reliable and efficient products and services. Similarly, in the textile industry, there have also been developments, and one of the most talked-about technologies is nanotechnology. This technology manipulates matter at an atomic and molecular level, giving a particular fabric the desired properties like resistance and elasticity.

The use of nanotechnology in the textile industry has been very useful to man. It has been applied in various industries like engineering, medicine, information and communication, aerospace, automotive, construction, etc.

Nanotechnology came into existence around 2600 BC in China when people started dyeing fabrics, and since then, it has been unknowingly used to impart different colors, shapes, and strength to fibers and fabrics. People started understanding that nanoparticles and nanofibers have exclusive properties which can be used to add different properties to fabrics. Properties like mechanical strength, chemical resistance, water repellence, antibacterial properties, etc. were unattainable by any other means.

Nanotechnology has gained popularity in the last 15 years, and the textile industry has benefited greatly from it. Manufacturing textiles with the help of nanotechnology is a complex process, but its results are effective and long-lasting.

To get a better understanding of nanotechnology in the textile industry, it can be bifurcated into three major categories:

Fabrication of nanofibers

Surface modification of fibers and fabrics

Nanoparticle composite fibers

Fabrication of Nanofibres

The most widely used technique for fabricating nanofibers is electrospinning. However, there are many techniques for the same, for instance, meltblowing, forcespinning, bicomponent spinning, and flashing spinning to name a few, but electrospinning remains the commonly used technique. Electrostatic forces are used in this process. With the help of these electrostatic forces, nanoparticles can be converted into a fibrous form. Electrospinning has an edge over other techniques because of its ability to fabricate nanofibrous assemblies of various materials such as polymers, ceramics, and metals.

Surface Modification


Out of the three categories, surface modification is the best established technique and has plenty of applications such as water and stain repellency, wrinkle resistance and flame retardation. Electro-textiles, chemical/biological detection and microbe resistance are some if it's advanced applications. Effects of these applications usually depend on various properties like charge of the particle, size, and surface chemistry. But nonetheless, all these applications have beneficial properties. This application is also used in swimsuits. A cold plasma technology is used to make the fabric water repellant.


Surface modification techniques have proved very beneficial in manufacturing. But it faces a longevity issue. Washing, wear and tear, etc deplete its coatings on a fabric making it loose its unique properties.


Nanoparticle Composite Fibers 


Nanoparticle composite fibers are commercially used the least. Incorporation of nanoparticles can be used to create anti microbial and electrically conducive fibers.

With the help of this technology, tiny carbon particles can be integrated in a fabric. This protects the wearer from electrostatic charge that comes from a fabric. Along with this, fabrics manufactured with this technology are stain resistant, water repellant and wrinkle free. They can be washed at lower temperatures and at lesser frequency.


Nano-Textile Products


Nanotechnology techniques are used in many industries. Various kinds of fabrics and goods are manufactured with nanotechnology applications. These products range from personal goods to sports fabrics with improved mechanical properties, odor reducing, and antibacterial properties and military textiles such as flexible body armour and camouflage. Medical textiles like antimicrobial wound dressing, bedding and clothing is also manufactured through this technique.

Nanomaterials Used in Textiles


Nanomaterials improve the performance and add unique properties to fabrics. Whether it's a natural fabric or a synthetic one, different nanomaterials are used in textile manufacturing because of the properties they impart. A variety of nanoparticles and nanotubes which are used in textile manufacturing are as follows:

Nanomaterial

Properties

Carbon black nanoparticle/nanofibres

Abrasion resistance, Higher tensile strength, Good chemical resistance, electrical conducting

Carbon nanotubes

Exceptionally strong, lightweight, electrically conducting, thermally conducting

Metal oxide nanoparticles

Photocatalytic, electrically conductive, UV protection, antimicrobial

Metal nanoparticles

Antimicrobial, solar cells, aesthetic properties

Clay nanoparticles

Electrical resistance, fire retardant, UV shielding.


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Nanotechnology is still an evolving field. Even though it has strong grounds in manufacturing various kinds of products, it will continue to develop in the future. Researchers have been working to improve this technology and its applications. This technology is much in demand because of its ability to carry out tasks efficiently and impart unique and valuable properties to fabrics.


References:


1.      Slideshare.net

2.      Lifesciencesweek.ch

3.      Textileworld.com

4.      Azonano.com

5.      Science.howstuffworks.com