C hapter 10 nanomaterial product Forms and Functions
454
tance. Textiles are necessarily of large size and, in typical product
design or architectural applications, must be of relatively low
cost. Many important coatings can be applied via forms of spraying or electro statically in a fairly cost-efficient way. Self-assembled
nanolayer coatings are of great interest but largely remain in the
development stage. Nanocomposite fibers can be selectively spun
into traditional woven or knitted materials, with densities and
directionalities designed in accordance with strength and other
mechanical property needs. The use of melt-blown techniques
promises to be an excellent way of incorporating nanofibers into
certain kinds of limited-size products.
Nano-based approaches can be most effectively used to impart or
enhance different needed characteristics. In this discussion, it is
useful to distinguish broadly between basic core textile materials
and the many types of coatings that can be applied to them.
Most strength applications are associated with core designs, as are
many thermal and filtering applications. For core materials in textiles, composite fibers can be used that incorporate various kinds
of nanofillers, nanofibers, or carbon nanotubes into some other
matrix, typically a polymer, to increase strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, conductivity, and other fiber properties. Nanofillers
can be made of clay, various metal oxides, carbon black, and other
nanoparticles. Various nanofibers or nanocellular foams can also
be used. Clay nanoparticle fillers can be used for improved heat,
electrical, water, and chemical resistance (e.g., anticorrosive) and
to blocking UV rays. Distortions from heat are decreased. In textile
applications, the clay nanoparticles can also create sites for attracting or holding dyes.
Properties in relation to light or color or properties such as
antistaining are typically associated with coatings of the several
types previously discussed. Many types of coatings can be used to
impart needed properties to textiles. Nanoparticles can be used to
surround and bond to fibers in the form of nanolayers, thus either
providing some special action (e.g., hydrophobic) or simply preventing liquids or gases from penetrating through to the basic core
fibers. Coating application techniques, however, must be compatible with approaches used to make the basic fibers themselves, such
as electrospinning, which can be greatly complicating.
A whole host of technologies are evolving for improving the finishes of various textiles. The appearance of final finishes is extremely
important, as are capabilities for holding dyes or accepting printing. Nanotechniques are proving to provide interesting avenues of
454
tance. Textiles are necessarily of large size and, in typical product
design or architectural applications, must be of relatively low
cost. Many important coatings can be applied via forms of spraying or electro statically in a fairly cost-efficient way. Self-assembled
nanolayer coatings are of great interest but largely remain in the
development stage. Nanocomposite fibers can be selectively spun
into traditional woven or knitted materials, with densities and
directionalities designed in accordance with strength and other
mechanical property needs. The use of melt-blown techniques
promises to be an excellent way of incorporating nanofibers into
certain kinds of limited-size products.
Nano-based approaches can be most effectively used to impart or
enhance different needed characteristics. In this discussion, it is
useful to distinguish broadly between basic core textile materials
and the many types of coatings that can be applied to them.
Most strength applications are associated with core designs, as are
many thermal and filtering applications. For core materials in textiles, composite fibers can be used that incorporate various kinds
of nanofillers, nanofibers, or carbon nanotubes into some other
matrix, typically a polymer, to increase strength, toughness, abrasion resistance, conductivity, and other fiber properties. Nanofillers
can be made of clay, various metal oxides, carbon black, and other
nanoparticles. Various nanofibers or nanocellular foams can also
be used. Clay nanoparticle fillers can be used for improved heat,
electrical, water, and chemical resistance (e.g., anticorrosive) and
to blocking UV rays. Distortions from heat are decreased. In textile
applications, the clay nanoparticles can also create sites for attracting or holding dyes.
Properties in relation to light or color or properties such as
antistaining are typically associated with coatings of the several
types previously discussed. Many types of coatings can be used to
impart needed properties to textiles. Nanoparticles can be used to
surround and bond to fibers in the form of nanolayers, thus either
providing some special action (e.g., hydrophobic) or simply preventing liquids or gases from penetrating through to the basic core
fibers. Coating application techniques, however, must be compatible with approaches used to make the basic fibers themselves, such
as electrospinning, which can be greatly complicating.
A whole host of technologies are evolving for improving the finishes of various textiles. The appearance of final finishes is extremely
important, as are capabilities for holding dyes or accepting printing. Nanotechniques are proving to provide interesting avenues of