Nanotextiles: Quo Vadis?

Although, nanotechnology has been considered as a revolutionary science for the 21^st century, it is only the electronics industry that has fully reaped the benefits of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has come into play in the textiles sector with the use of nanofibers in filters and different finish formulations using nanoproducts. The productivity of nanofiber production methods and the toxicity of nanoproducts are critical factors that are going to drive the growth and acceptability. Nanospider^TM from Elmarco and NanoStatics^TM from NanoStatics Corporation are promising technologies that have overcome the productivity issue and are commercially available. The progress in the utilization of nanofibers in textiles depends on value additions other than the basic high surface area nanofibers normally provide. This can be achieved by modifying the production methods and providing functional finishes. Most recently, the electrospinning process has been modified to develop high efficiency filters. Mesh-in-mesh nanofiber filters have been developed at Texas Tech University which can provide higher filtration efficiency due to orderly arrangement of nanofibers which can efficiently trap particles. Figure 2 shows the honeycomb filters developed using refined electrospinning process.

Figure 2. Honeycomb Nanofiber Filter

Summary

Nonwovens and other value-added textiles belong to technical textiles which help with improvements in human lifestyle. These textiles find applications in medicine, infrastructure, automobiles and other high-end technologies. Multidisciplinary knowledge has to be brought into the textile field to create next generation value-added textiles that have functionality and superior end-use applications. In addition, these products should be cost effective and sustainable so that there is greater acceptance.

Acknowledgements

Seshadri Ramkumar gratefully acknowledges US Army, Research Development and Engineering Command, Food and Fibers Research Grant Program of Texas, The CH Foundation of Lubbock and The South Plains Foundation of Lubbock for their support with his nonwovens research at Texas Tech University.

References

1. Ian Butler, Growth Prospects for the Nonwovens Industry Worldwide, INDA, INTC Conference, Sept 10, 2008.
2. Seshadri Ramkumar and Appachi Arunachalam, India Rising: Opportunities in Nonwovens and Technical Textiles, Specialty Fabrics Review, June 2008, pp 62-64.
3. US Department of Defense. (DoD). Chemical and Biological Defense Program, Annual Report to Congress, 2005, http://www.acq.osd.mil/cp/nbc05/ cbdpreporttocongress2005.pdf
4. US Department of Defense. (DoD). Chemical and Biological Defense Program, Annual Report to Congress, 2006, http://www.acq.osd.mil/cp/nbc06/cbdpreporttocongress2006.pdf

About the Authors:

The authors are associated with Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas USA