Environmental Profile of Nano-finished Textile …
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This created the concept of nano-engineered fabrics/fibers which offers above
mentioned functionalities deprived of the properties of textile material comfort properties of the textile material. These engineered substances should impeccably assimilate into garments and be stretchy and relaxed while having no allergic reaction
to the body. Moreover, such substances need to satisfy performance, weight and
appearance properties [4]. The conventional approaches used in the textile industry
have the challenge not to functionalize fabrics that do not lead to permanent effects.
Antibacterial modification of textiles with metal oxide nanoparticles and their composites can prevent the growth of fungi, alga, bacteria and other microorganisms on
them. Finishing of textiles with metal nanoparticles such as silver, zinc, and titanium
have been reported for antibacterial properties [8, 9]. Because of their multi-targeted
mechanism of action, high surface area-to-volume ratio and unique properties of
these nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles are more effective in comparison to native
biopolymers [10]. An important advantage of nanomaterials is the increasing surface
area which increases the contact of the antibacterial agent with infectious microorganisms. Among all the antibacterial nanomaterials, silver have proved to be the
most effective against most common bacteria in antibacterial textile finishing [10].
Inorganic nanoparticles such as TiO 2 , ZnO, SiO 2 , Cu 2 O, CuO, Al 2 O 3 , and reduced
graphene oxide have been abundantly exploited for their high temperature thermal
and chemical stability, permanent photostability, and non-toxicity compared to the
organic ones [4, 7]. Metal oxides as UV protective agents can improve the absorbency
percentage in the UV region. UV protection can be increased by modifying textile
and polymers via increasing the total reflectance and absorbance properties which in
turn reduces the amount of transferred UV light [4].
Another area where nanomaterials can be handy is to generate anti-odor textiles
which is one of the main sectors of the textile industry, and has got considerable and
increased attention over the last few years. In this section, most important textile materials are sportswear, underwear, socks, and shoes. Previously, physical (absorption
by activated carbon) and chemicals (turning the odor into common smell) approaches
have been used along with some aromatic compounds to eliminate unpleasant odors.
Although, aroma textiles is not new concept but great progress has been made in
the field of aroma textile production via surface finishing to produce effective and
long-lasting bioactive textiles [7]. Earlier scientists used aromatic extracts via direct
spraying on the surface of textiles but now-a-days new techniques have been developed and encapsulation is one such effective method to increase the lifetime of odors
on textiles. Textile materials are finished with micro/nano fragrances via encapsulation method which are then released due to pressure or abrasion of garments [11].
Some applications of nanofinished textiles materials are summarized in graphical
form (Fig. 1).
59
This created the concept of nano-engineered fabrics/fibers which offers above
mentioned functionalities deprived of the properties of textile material comfort properties of the textile material. These engineered substances should impeccably assimilate into garments and be stretchy and relaxed while having no allergic reaction
to the body. Moreover, such substances need to satisfy performance, weight and
appearance properties [4]. The conventional approaches used in the textile industry
have the challenge not to functionalize fabrics that do not lead to permanent effects.
Antibacterial modification of textiles with metal oxide nanoparticles and their composites can prevent the growth of fungi, alga, bacteria and other microorganisms on
them. Finishing of textiles with metal nanoparticles such as silver, zinc, and titanium
have been reported for antibacterial properties [8, 9]. Because of their multi-targeted
mechanism of action, high surface area-to-volume ratio and unique properties of
these nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles are more effective in comparison to native
biopolymers [10]. An important advantage of nanomaterials is the increasing surface
area which increases the contact of the antibacterial agent with infectious microorganisms. Among all the antibacterial nanomaterials, silver have proved to be the
most effective against most common bacteria in antibacterial textile finishing [10].
Inorganic nanoparticles such as TiO 2 , ZnO, SiO 2 , Cu 2 O, CuO, Al 2 O 3 , and reduced
graphene oxide have been abundantly exploited for their high temperature thermal
and chemical stability, permanent photostability, and non-toxicity compared to the
organic ones [4, 7]. Metal oxides as UV protective agents can improve the absorbency
percentage in the UV region. UV protection can be increased by modifying textile
and polymers via increasing the total reflectance and absorbance properties which in
turn reduces the amount of transferred UV light [4].
Another area where nanomaterials can be handy is to generate anti-odor textiles
which is one of the main sectors of the textile industry, and has got considerable and
increased attention over the last few years. In this section, most important textile materials are sportswear, underwear, socks, and shoes. Previously, physical (absorption
by activated carbon) and chemicals (turning the odor into common smell) approaches
have been used along with some aromatic compounds to eliminate unpleasant odors.
Although, aroma textiles is not new concept but great progress has been made in
the field of aroma textile production via surface finishing to produce effective and
long-lasting bioactive textiles [7]. Earlier scientists used aromatic extracts via direct
spraying on the surface of textiles but now-a-days new techniques have been developed and encapsulation is one such effective method to increase the lifetime of odors
on textiles. Textile materials are finished with micro/nano fragrances via encapsulation method which are then released due to pressure or abrasion of garments [11].
Some applications of nanofinished textiles materials are summarized in graphical
form (Fig. 1).