Techno-science of some recently introduced nano finishes for textile substrates has been reviewed. The logic of using low molecular weight fibre- reactive fluorocarbons that form the basis of Nano-Care™ finish to impart durable hydrophobic-oleophobic characteristics to fabrics, as described in a patented literature, has been discussed. Super-hydrophobicity as exhibited by lotus leaves and the finishes to get self-cleaning textile fabrics based on the Lotus Effect™ have been covered giving some typical recipes. Mechanisms proposed to explain the photo-catalytic self-cleaning effect of TiO2 have been described. Developments in the production and evaluation of nano silver and wound care devices based on antimicrobial activity of silver have been covered in detail.
Keywords: Acticoat™, Antimicrobial, Lotus Effect™, Nano-Care™, Nanosphere™, Photo-catalytic™, Super-hydrophobicity, Self-cleaning fabric, Whiskers
About the Author:
The author is associated with the Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi.
