Nanotechnology endows textiles with self-cleaning options
23 Sep '09
1 min read
Nature has already developed an elegant approach that combines chemistry and physics to create super repellant surfaces as well as self-cleaning surfaces. "Lotus leaves" are the best example of self-cleaning textiles, based on the lotus plant whose leaves are well known for their ability to self-clean by repelling water and dirt.
Nowadays, people are busy in their work that they do not have time to clean their dailywear clothes. People in military service have to survive in unavoidable situations and have to wear same clothes for days together. Nano science is a wonderful technology, which has been employed for self-cleaning textiles with dirt-free and other functional finishes.
The process of self-cleaning coating in fabric is of two categories; hydrophobic and hydrophilic. Both coatings clean themselves through the action of water, the former by rolling droplets and the latter by sheeting water that carries away dirt.
This new concept self-cleaning textiles is both technically, and economically beneficial. Potential for self-cleaning fabrics is huge, and their market is truly global due to the wide range of possible applications.