This document gives the importance of nanotechnologyin the field of textiles. The author has done a study on the different sectorsof textiles where nanotechnology is introduced. The study reveals thatnanotechnology is emerging in every field of life and is based on theprinciples of simple to complex. The study also highlights the benefits ofnanotechnology in textiles.


Introduction:

Nano- Theword nano means "dwarf" in Latin, as per the scientific dictionaryNano means "very small or at a microscopic level, one billionth of asecond"


Nanotechnologyis the study and application of small things that can be used widely in fieldsof engineering, science, chemistry, physics, biology etc. Nanotechnology wasfirst introduced to the world of science by physicist Richard Feynman at anAmerican Physical meeting at California Institute of Technology on 29th Dec1959, the talk title being "There's plenty of room at the bottom"

K. EricDrexler is credited to popularize the word" nano technology in the 1980salso known as the "Founding father of nanotechnology"


A moregeneralised description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by theNational Nanotechnology Initiative, which defines nanotechnology as themanipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres.


Everythingon this Earth is made of atoms, our food, our clothes, plants etc and of courseourselves. Scientists involved in nanotechnology have adapted or rathermimicked the nature's way to develop products which have advantages as well asadded benefits in terms of performance, functionality, and durability.


Textiles and Nanotechnology:

Concept ofnanotechnology used in textiles on fibre and fabric is nothing but adapted fromnature. E.g. how the lotus leaf stays dry in spite of being in water. The sameway fabrics are modified so as to repel soil, dirt, etc and to remain clean andfresh using the nanotechnology principle. The nature has its in -builtnanotechnology like the lotus leaf whichrepels water from its surface and hence the water droplets are seen on theupper surface, all this is done by the waxy nano leaf fibres growing on theouter surface of the leaf. Man studied this art of nature and used the sametechnology on the surface of the fabrics and has created special smart fabrics,to repel soil, dirt and remain clean and fresh forever. The Teflon principle ofnanotechnology is a way of creating dirt free fabrics.


Nanotechnologyin textiles is used to develop desired textile characteristics, such as hightensile strength, unique surface structure, soft hand, durability, waterrepellence, fire retardance, and antimicrobial properties.


Thistechnology is used in various sections of the textile industry: at the fibre stage, surface finish to fibre,Fabric stage (surface finish) or garment stage.

NanoFibres: Electro spinning is the process for nanofibres fabrication, which has patents extending back to the early and mid-1900s. In the process, electrostatic forces are used to draw a solution or melt polymer fluid into a fibrous form. Depending on the materials system and processing conditions, resulting fibres can range from several microns to less than 100 nanometres. Fibres used in the textile industry are notably improved by nanotechnology; one example is nanocellulose, which combines low cost, lightweight, electric conductivity, environmentally friendly resources and high resistance, thus opening an immensely vast scope of possible applications, nanotechnology-enabled apparel can both protect the wearer from pathogens, toxic gases, and other hazardous substances, benefiting the medical and rescue services as well as in the military, and allow the constant monitoring of body functions in applications ranging from regenerative activities to the enhancement of the quality of life of sufferers of long-term diseases.


Surface Modification: Fibre stage/fabric Stage

Surface modification is used to impart unique properties to fibres and fabrics. It is also an area that raises the most scrutiny as to whether or not the technology can actually be considered nanotechnology based on the modification process and the coating thickness.


Applications range from water and stain repellence, wrinkle resistance and flame retardation to high-tech applications such as microbe resistance, electro-textiles - such as printed circuit boards - and chemical/biological detection and other protective applications.


Commercial applications range from the Speedo LZR swimsuit - using a cold plasma technology to repel water - to the Nano-Tex technique of pad-applying to a fabric or dip/spray-applying to a garment with solution containing particles to create so-called nano-whiskers on the surface of a cotton fibre. The biggest issue with surface modification, especially in older technologies, is longevity. Many coatings become depleted as a function of wear, or abrasion, and washing. Therefore, nanotechnologies employing strong bonding to the surface of the fibre are eagerly sought and under development.


Examples of industries where nanotech-enhanced textiles are already seeing some application include the sporting industry, skincare, space technology and clothing and material technologies for better protection in extreme environments. Treating textiles with nanotechnology materials is a method to improve the properties of the textile, making it longer, durable, and have nicer colours etc. Nanotechnology can also be used to add new functionalities like energy storage and communications.


Some examples of nano improved textiles currently on the market are:

 

•  Stain repellent and wrinkle-resistant threads woven in textiles
•  Body warmers use Phase Change Materials (PCMs) responding to changing body temperatures
•  Nano socks treated with silver nano particles. The silver acts against infection and odour

Nano Materials

The nonmaterial's field includes subfields which develop or study materials having unique properties arising from their nanoscale dimensions.


Interface and colloid science has given rise to many materials which may be useful in nanotechnology, such as carbon nanotubes and other fullerenes, and various nanoparticles and nanorods. Nanomaterials with fast ion transport are related also to nanoionics and nanoelectronics.


Table: Commercially available nano-particles for textile applications

Sr No

Nanoparticles

Properties

1

Silver nanoparticles

Anti-bacterial finishing

2

Fe nanoparticles

Conductive magnetic properties, remote heating.

3

ZnO and TiO2

UV-protection, fiber protection, oxidative catalysis

4

TiO2 and MgO

Chemical and biological protective performance, provide self-sterilizing function.

5

SiO2 or Al2O3 Nano-particles with PP or PE coating

Super water repellent finishing.

6

Indium-tin oxide nanoparticles

EM / IR protective clothing.

7

Ceramic nanoparticles

Increasing resistance to abrasion.

8

Carbon black nanoparticles

Increasing resistance to abrasion, chemical resistance and impart electrical conductivity, coloration of some textiles.

9

Clay nanoparticles

High electrical, heat and chemical resistance

Conclusion

Nanotextiles are emerging in textiles by creating smart or rather intelligent textiles. To create, alter, and improve textiles at the molecular level and increase durability and performance beyond that of normal textiles are possible now that nanotechnology is in the arena. To continue this favourable trend, the textile industry should contribute more to research in nanotechnology and intensify its collaboration with other disciplines. With the changing trends and demands of the customer, it is the need of the age to make use of the technology available today. These applications and developments show that nanotechnology will emerge to dominate the textile field in future.


References:

1). www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/defination

2). www.cranono.org

3). www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnologywikipedia

4). www.fibre2fashion.com/article/mazharulislamkiron

5). www.nanotextna.org/sectors/textiles

6). www.textiletoday.com.bd/oldsite/magazine/68