222
S. Maity et al.
Fig. 4 Self-cleaning clothing fibers using microwaves [19]
5 Self-cleaning Effect Using Carbon Nanotubes
Mimicking of lotus leaf surface is a suitable method of preparing self-cleaning surface
where nanosize rods are vertically arranged in regular pattern creating a rough microsurface. Controlled assembling of carbon nanotubes over textile surface can serve the
purpose and which is successfully achieved by researchers. By this method, carbon
nanotubes are assembled on cotton surface and water contact angle greater than 150°
is achieved. Such cotton fabrics are super hydrophobic in nature and carbon nanotube
being electro-conductive the coated fabrics can exhibit various sensory functions
[27]. The super hydrophobic functionality of micro-structured surface contained
with carbon nanotubes is shown in Fig. 5 [28]. It is reported that the self-cleaning
performance of the fabric does not deteriorate even after multiple use. In another
study, it has been reported that fluorinated carbon nanotubes have better performance
than that of ordinary carbon nanotubes. Fluorinated carbon nanotubes are vertically
arranged on textile surface that exhibit better hydrophobicity and excellent selfcleaning performance [29].
S. Maity et al.
Fig. 4 Self-cleaning clothing fibers using microwaves [19]
5 Self-cleaning Effect Using Carbon Nanotubes
Mimicking of lotus leaf surface is a suitable method of preparing self-cleaning surface
where nanosize rods are vertically arranged in regular pattern creating a rough microsurface. Controlled assembling of carbon nanotubes over textile surface can serve the
purpose and which is successfully achieved by researchers. By this method, carbon
nanotubes are assembled on cotton surface and water contact angle greater than 150°
is achieved. Such cotton fabrics are super hydrophobic in nature and carbon nanotube
being electro-conductive the coated fabrics can exhibit various sensory functions
[27]. The super hydrophobic functionality of micro-structured surface contained
with carbon nanotubes is shown in Fig. 5 [28]. It is reported that the self-cleaning
performance of the fabric does not deteriorate even after multiple use. In another
study, it has been reported that fluorinated carbon nanotubes have better performance
than that of ordinary carbon nanotubes. Fluorinated carbon nanotubes are vertically
arranged on textile surface that exhibit better hydrophobicity and excellent selfcleaning performance [29].