Surface Modification of Textiles with Nanomaterials …
21
Xili Hu et al. studied the multifunctional properties of graphene/polyurethane
modified textile for different applications such as UV blocking and far-infrared emission [102]. Here, the prepared graphene and polyurethane composites were deposited
on the textile surface by means of pad-dry method. Initially, the control fabric was
dipped into the graphene/polyurethane (GNP/WPU) solution and padded with certain pressure to obtain 100% wet pickup. Then, the modified fabrics were cured at
different temperature in vacuum oven and calculated the weight of surface modified
fabric with control fabric). At last, it was concluded that GNP/WPU modified fabric
showed enhancement in far infrared emissivity of 0.911 and UV blocking with UPF
factor of 500 [102].
Even though reports on the surface modified textile for antibacterial actions are
available, they lack washing durability. On this basis, QingBo Xu et al. addressed
antibacterial actions of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)/silver (Ag) modified fabric
against different consecutive washing tests. The control fabric was initially immersed
in CMC solution, underwent the padding procedure to maximize wet pickup and was
dried to obtain the CMC modified fabric. Next, the padded fabrics were taken for Ag
nanoparticles deposition through chemical reduction method. Uniform adherence
between the materials deposited on the fabric was observed because of covalent
linkage and coordination bonds. CMC contain amine and carboxylic acid groups
where it forms coordination bonds with Ag nanoparticles and tend to react with the
hydroxyl group of cotton cellulose. It showed bacterial reduction rate of 94% even
after 50 consecutive washings [103].
Other than synthetic materials, naturally available materials also show antibacterial action. Studies by Mondal et al. suggested that Aloe vera (A. vera) gel has antibacterial characteristics towards gram positive Staphylococcus aureus [104]. Moreover,
demonstration on A. vera and chitosan modified cotton fabric by pad-dry process
against bacterial growth was also carried out. Antibacterial studies of modified cotton surface for the combination of chitosan/A. vera showed greater activity than
individual components and paved the way to fabricate eco-friendly textile [104].
4 Technical Textiles for Flexible Wearable Applications
Wearable Technologies
Wearable technology refers to the utility of electronics, mechanical technologies and
functional materials integrated in the wearable form. This has been achieved through
textile surface modification or electronics skin in the form of tattoos [105]. These
devices can be operated by the various forms of physical energies available in the
environment as well as the activities made by human beings. Wearable electronics
on textiles platform can be categorized into the following three types based on the
changes in mechanical, chemical, electrical, magnetic and optical functions of the
materials [106].
21
Xili Hu et al. studied the multifunctional properties of graphene/polyurethane
modified textile for different applications such as UV blocking and far-infrared emission [102]. Here, the prepared graphene and polyurethane composites were deposited
on the textile surface by means of pad-dry method. Initially, the control fabric was
dipped into the graphene/polyurethane (GNP/WPU) solution and padded with certain pressure to obtain 100% wet pickup. Then, the modified fabrics were cured at
different temperature in vacuum oven and calculated the weight of surface modified
fabric with control fabric). At last, it was concluded that GNP/WPU modified fabric
showed enhancement in far infrared emissivity of 0.911 and UV blocking with UPF
factor of 500 [102].
Even though reports on the surface modified textile for antibacterial actions are
available, they lack washing durability. On this basis, QingBo Xu et al. addressed
antibacterial actions of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)/silver (Ag) modified fabric
against different consecutive washing tests. The control fabric was initially immersed
in CMC solution, underwent the padding procedure to maximize wet pickup and was
dried to obtain the CMC modified fabric. Next, the padded fabrics were taken for Ag
nanoparticles deposition through chemical reduction method. Uniform adherence
between the materials deposited on the fabric was observed because of covalent
linkage and coordination bonds. CMC contain amine and carboxylic acid groups
where it forms coordination bonds with Ag nanoparticles and tend to react with the
hydroxyl group of cotton cellulose. It showed bacterial reduction rate of 94% even
after 50 consecutive washings [103].
Other than synthetic materials, naturally available materials also show antibacterial action. Studies by Mondal et al. suggested that Aloe vera (A. vera) gel has antibacterial characteristics towards gram positive Staphylococcus aureus [104]. Moreover,
demonstration on A. vera and chitosan modified cotton fabric by pad-dry process
against bacterial growth was also carried out. Antibacterial studies of modified cotton surface for the combination of chitosan/A. vera showed greater activity than
individual components and paved the way to fabricate eco-friendly textile [104].
4 Technical Textiles for Flexible Wearable Applications
Wearable Technologies
Wearable technology refers to the utility of electronics, mechanical technologies and
functional materials integrated in the wearable form. This has been achieved through
textile surface modification or electronics skin in the form of tattoos [105]. These
devices can be operated by the various forms of physical energies available in the
environment as well as the activities made by human beings. Wearable electronics
on textiles platform can be categorized into the following three types based on the
changes in mechanical, chemical, electrical, magnetic and optical functions of the
materials [106].