62
L. J. Rather et al.
3.1.2 Silver Nanoparticles and Its Composites
One of profound approaches to fabricate smart textiles is nanomaterials finishing
onto their surfaces for enriching them with dirt-repellent, self-cleaning, water repellent, antistatic properties, decreased gas permeability, conductive, flammability and
antimicrobial properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been enormously used
for some of the outstanding mechanical properties along with above mentioned bioactivities. Natural and synthetic textiles have been employed to generate functional textiles treated with AgNPs. Several methods have been employed to enhance the durability of nano finish against washing processing. Therefore, chemical binders and
cross-linkable polymers have been used for stabilizing AgNPs on fabric surfaces
[20–24]. The deposition of AgNPs mainly remains bound to electrostatic interactions between AgNPs and textile constituents (functional groups). There are 3 stages
of AgNPs finish in terms of successful chemical deposition: (a) adsorption of silver
ions on textile surfaces, (b) diffusion of AgNPs into the interior of textile fabric/fiber,
and (c) interaction of AgNPs with textile fibers. For instance, X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy observation have revealed the nature of possible interactions between
AgNPs and sulfur atoms, which are likely to be interact via the cleavage of S–S bond
in the wool fiber [4, 25, 26].
3.1.3 Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles
Recently, ZnO has got high attention from scientific community for its remarkable applications in photo-diodes, UV light emitting devices solar cells, sensors,
electro-acoustic transducers, displays, gas sensors, varistors, piezoelectric devices,
sun-screens, gas sensors, UV absorbers, anti-reflection coatings, catalyst due to low
band gap (3.37 eV) and photo-catalysis The stability of ZnO has been acceptable with
reducing option of electron-hole recombination (Fig. 2) [27–33]. ZnO nanoparticles
have some additional advantages compared to Ag nanoparticles in terms of low cost,
UV-blocking property and white appearance [28, 33]. ZnO enhances the properties
of polymeric nano-composites [33]. It has been also proven that there appears an
enhancement in wear resistant and anti-sliding phase in zinc oxide nanocomposites as a consequence of their high elastic modulus and strength [32]. Li et al. have
investigated the antibacterial action of ZnO nanoparticles functionalized on cotton
fabric and have evaluated the durability of antibacterial action under conditions of
alkaline, acidic and inorganic salt artificial perspiration [34]. As compared to normal
conditions a negative surface charge has been presumed for ZnO nanoparticles and
illumination can increase anti-bacterial performance. ZnO nano-particle like tetrapod
was also used for producing acrylic composite resin [32]. ZnO nanotubes, nanocages,
nano-belts and nanowires have been also produced [30, 35–37].
L. J. Rather et al.
3.1.2 Silver Nanoparticles and Its Composites
One of profound approaches to fabricate smart textiles is nanomaterials finishing
onto their surfaces for enriching them with dirt-repellent, self-cleaning, water repellent, antistatic properties, decreased gas permeability, conductive, flammability and
antimicrobial properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been enormously used
for some of the outstanding mechanical properties along with above mentioned bioactivities. Natural and synthetic textiles have been employed to generate functional textiles treated with AgNPs. Several methods have been employed to enhance the durability of nano finish against washing processing. Therefore, chemical binders and
cross-linkable polymers have been used for stabilizing AgNPs on fabric surfaces
[20–24]. The deposition of AgNPs mainly remains bound to electrostatic interactions between AgNPs and textile constituents (functional groups). There are 3 stages
of AgNPs finish in terms of successful chemical deposition: (a) adsorption of silver
ions on textile surfaces, (b) diffusion of AgNPs into the interior of textile fabric/fiber,
and (c) interaction of AgNPs with textile fibers. For instance, X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy observation have revealed the nature of possible interactions between
AgNPs and sulfur atoms, which are likely to be interact via the cleavage of S–S bond
in the wool fiber [4, 25, 26].
3.1.3 Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles
Recently, ZnO has got high attention from scientific community for its remarkable applications in photo-diodes, UV light emitting devices solar cells, sensors,
electro-acoustic transducers, displays, gas sensors, varistors, piezoelectric devices,
sun-screens, gas sensors, UV absorbers, anti-reflection coatings, catalyst due to low
band gap (3.37 eV) and photo-catalysis The stability of ZnO has been acceptable with
reducing option of electron-hole recombination (Fig. 2) [27–33]. ZnO nanoparticles
have some additional advantages compared to Ag nanoparticles in terms of low cost,
UV-blocking property and white appearance [28, 33]. ZnO enhances the properties
of polymeric nano-composites [33]. It has been also proven that there appears an
enhancement in wear resistant and anti-sliding phase in zinc oxide nanocomposites as a consequence of their high elastic modulus and strength [32]. Li et al. have
investigated the antibacterial action of ZnO nanoparticles functionalized on cotton
fabric and have evaluated the durability of antibacterial action under conditions of
alkaline, acidic and inorganic salt artificial perspiration [34]. As compared to normal
conditions a negative surface charge has been presumed for ZnO nanoparticles and
illumination can increase anti-bacterial performance. ZnO nano-particle like tetrapod
was also used for producing acrylic composite resin [32]. ZnO nanotubes, nanocages,
nano-belts and nanowires have been also produced [30, 35–37].