Functional Finishing of Cotton Textiles
Using Nanomaterials
N. Vigneshwaran and A. Arputharaj
Abstract Cotton textiles are conventionally used by human beings due to their comfort properties and well-established production and processing technologies. Mainly
suitable for tropical conditions and other hot and humid environments, cotton performs better in terms of soft-feeling and eco-friendliness. But, cotton could not
compete for use in sportswear, medical textiles, filtration, agro-textiles and other
technical textiles due to its inherent weakness in terms of absorbency, susceptibility to microbial attack and poor strength properties. In order to impart or improve
the required functional properties, various nanomaterials made from metals, metal
oxides, ceramics, polymers and carbon are being used as finishing agents. The methods of application vary widely, starting from the traditional pad-dry-cure process and
cross-linking to electrospraying, electrospinning, in situ synthesis and layer-by-layer
deposition. Novel and un-conventional properties like superhydrophobicity, electrical conductivity, photocatalytic/self-cleaning activity, antimicrobial, UV-protective
and flame retarding properties could be achieved in cotton using the nanomaterials.
Even, energy production using nanostructures on the surface of cotton fibres is being
evolved. This chapter describes the basic mechanisms involved in the use of nanomaterials to impart functional properties in cotton textiles, relevant issues and the
future scope for commercial exploitation.
Keywords Antimicrobial finish · Cotton textiles · E-textiles · Flame retardancy ·
Nanofinishing · UV protection
1 Introduction
Cotton, the King of Fibres, is conventionally used for apparels, medical and technical textiles due to their inherent comfort properties and established production and
processing technologies. But, with the stiff competition from synthetic fibres, cotton has to improve its performance in various other aspects so that it can retain its
marketability. Multiple functionalities need to be incorporated into cotton textiles
N. Vigneshwaran (B) · A. Arputharaj
ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai 400019, India
e-mail: vigneshwaran.n@icar.gov.in
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
M. Shahid and R. Adivarekar (eds.), Advances in Functional Finishing of Textiles, Textile
Science and Clothing Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3669-4_2
43
Using Nanomaterials
N. Vigneshwaran and A. Arputharaj
Abstract Cotton textiles are conventionally used by human beings due to their comfort properties and well-established production and processing technologies. Mainly
suitable for tropical conditions and other hot and humid environments, cotton performs better in terms of soft-feeling and eco-friendliness. But, cotton could not
compete for use in sportswear, medical textiles, filtration, agro-textiles and other
technical textiles due to its inherent weakness in terms of absorbency, susceptibility to microbial attack and poor strength properties. In order to impart or improve
the required functional properties, various nanomaterials made from metals, metal
oxides, ceramics, polymers and carbon are being used as finishing agents. The methods of application vary widely, starting from the traditional pad-dry-cure process and
cross-linking to electrospraying, electrospinning, in situ synthesis and layer-by-layer
deposition. Novel and un-conventional properties like superhydrophobicity, electrical conductivity, photocatalytic/self-cleaning activity, antimicrobial, UV-protective
and flame retarding properties could be achieved in cotton using the nanomaterials.
Even, energy production using nanostructures on the surface of cotton fibres is being
evolved. This chapter describes the basic mechanisms involved in the use of nanomaterials to impart functional properties in cotton textiles, relevant issues and the
future scope for commercial exploitation.
Keywords Antimicrobial finish · Cotton textiles · E-textiles · Flame retardancy ·
Nanofinishing · UV protection
1 Introduction
Cotton, the King of Fibres, is conventionally used for apparels, medical and technical textiles due to their inherent comfort properties and established production and
processing technologies. But, with the stiff competition from synthetic fibres, cotton has to improve its performance in various other aspects so that it can retain its
marketability. Multiple functionalities need to be incorporated into cotton textiles
N. Vigneshwaran (B) · A. Arputharaj
ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai 400019, India
e-mail: vigneshwaran.n@icar.gov.in
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
M. Shahid and R. Adivarekar (eds.), Advances in Functional Finishing of Textiles, Textile
Science and Clothing Technology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3669-4_2
43