Self-cleaning Finishes for Functional and Value …
227
10 Limitations of Self-cleaning Fabric
Self-cleaning textiles are becoming practical and economical in the era of advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology both practical and economical. Industries readily accept the technologies
in commercial production of self-cleaning textiles which made the products readily
available in market and this could really obsolete the washing machines, laundry
detergents. However, there are few shortcomings limiting the efficiency and performance of self-cleaning. Wash fastness of the coated textiles is one of the limitations.
All the agents are not suitable for all textile substrates. Another factor is the irradiation
time in sunlight. Sunlight as a sole source of energy of photocatalytic self-cleaning
required to be sufficient in terms of intensity and duration. A tea-shirt having tea
stain required to be exposed in sunlight for a whole day for the removal of the stain.
Therefore, it is a time consuming task. Sometimes, it is not problematic for military
persons who wear the cloth and stand outside sun for prolong time during his duty
and clean their clothes. The intensity of light also plays a big role because the excitation of electrons in the valence band of TiO 2 depends on it and unless the electrons
hope to conduction band the cleaning process does not commence. The electrons in
valance band must react with atmospheric oxygen which causes depletion of oxygen
arising environmental concern.
11 Conclusion
There are various approaches reported in literature for preparation of self-cleaning
textiles. Broadly they can be divided in two ways such as either by making surface
super hydrophobic (coating with silicones, fluorocarbons etc.) making the surface
repellent to water, oil soil etc. or by coating with some functional hydrophilic finishes
by the route of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been found very promising in
this regard because by application of fluorocarbons etc. on textile materials made
them hazardous and cause skin irritation. Application of nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, N-halamines etc. in various forms brings about the properties of self-cleaning
textiles and researches are going on in this area for further improvement. At present,
there are some limitations or demerits with existing self-cleaning textiles in practical
and economical point of view. The finish cannot be applied to all kind of material
and longer time is required for cleaning treatment in sufficient sunlight.
References
1. Forbes P (2008) Self-cleaning materials: lotus leaf-inspired nanotechnology. Scientific American Magazine, 30 July 2008, pp 1–5
2. Online available: www.nano-sphere.ch
227
10 Limitations of Self-cleaning Fabric
Self-cleaning textiles are becoming practical and economical in the era of advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology both practical and economical. Industries readily accept the technologies
in commercial production of self-cleaning textiles which made the products readily
available in market and this could really obsolete the washing machines, laundry
detergents. However, there are few shortcomings limiting the efficiency and performance of self-cleaning. Wash fastness of the coated textiles is one of the limitations.
All the agents are not suitable for all textile substrates. Another factor is the irradiation
time in sunlight. Sunlight as a sole source of energy of photocatalytic self-cleaning
required to be sufficient in terms of intensity and duration. A tea-shirt having tea
stain required to be exposed in sunlight for a whole day for the removal of the stain.
Therefore, it is a time consuming task. Sometimes, it is not problematic for military
persons who wear the cloth and stand outside sun for prolong time during his duty
and clean their clothes. The intensity of light also plays a big role because the excitation of electrons in the valence band of TiO 2 depends on it and unless the electrons
hope to conduction band the cleaning process does not commence. The electrons in
valance band must react with atmospheric oxygen which causes depletion of oxygen
arising environmental concern.
11 Conclusion
There are various approaches reported in literature for preparation of self-cleaning
textiles. Broadly they can be divided in two ways such as either by making surface
super hydrophobic (coating with silicones, fluorocarbons etc.) making the surface
repellent to water, oil soil etc. or by coating with some functional hydrophilic finishes
by the route of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been found very promising in
this regard because by application of fluorocarbons etc. on textile materials made
them hazardous and cause skin irritation. Application of nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, N-halamines etc. in various forms brings about the properties of self-cleaning
textiles and researches are going on in this area for further improvement. At present,
there are some limitations or demerits with existing self-cleaning textiles in practical
and economical point of view. The finish cannot be applied to all kind of material
and longer time is required for cleaning treatment in sufficient sunlight.
References
1. Forbes P (2008) Self-cleaning materials: lotus leaf-inspired nanotechnology. Scientific American Magazine, 30 July 2008, pp 1–5
2. Online available: www.nano-sphere.ch