Nanocoatings in the textile industry: Present and Future

Abstract

The concept of textile coatings dates back to ancient times where waterproof fabrics were obtained by smearing animal fat onto their surface. Since then, a variety of materials are coated on textiles for different applications [1]. The objective of coating, in any case, is to either reinforce already existing properties of the given material or to introduce completely novel properties and hence producing a new finished product [2]. A coating is termed nanocoating if it is made of nanomaterials. A few nanomaterials used in textiles may include TiO₂, SiO₂, Fe₂O_3, and so on. The addition of nanomaterials leads to high opacity, increase in strength and durability. Nanocoatings also have many advantages over conventional coatings like increased indentation resistance, high elasticity, fast-drying, no shrinkage, high water vapor permeability, etc. Impregnation, cross-linking, and plasma surface activation are some of the methods through which nanomaterials can be incorporated into textiles. Also, the feasibility of such incorporation methods on an industrial scale plays an important role. The stage at which the nanomaterials are incorporated plays an important role in enhancing the properties of the fabric and also has an impact on its price [3]. Hydrophobic/water-repelling and stain-free fabrics are a few examples of textiles with nano-coatings. Nano-coatings also make fabrics antifungal and antibacterial. Few nanomaterials bring antimicrobial/antiviral properties to the fabrics and have gained importance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The future of Nanocoatings in textiles is massive and very interesting. Few ideas include smart textiles which can be used in AI, robotics, medicine, and even in the dispersion of medicine onto the skin. Intelligent textiles are another class that allows textiles to act according to the surrounding environment. The temperature of the textiles changes according to the requirement to keep the person cool/warm.

There is a need to evaluate the environmental impact of these special classes of fabrics during washing, handling and disposal as the nanomaterials may have adverse effects on the ecosystem when it gets into the soil and aquatic bodies [4].

This paper provides an overview of the present status of nanotechnology in the textile industry and its future. Methods of incorporation of nanomaterials onto fabrics, stages at which the nanomaterials should be incorporated, the feasibility of the methods of incorporation on an industrial scale, economic evaluation, and smart textiles are some of the aspects discussed in this paper.