Abstract

A novel application of nanotechnology is recently shined in the field of textile and clothing industry. Main mission of this application is to modify textile fabrics and apparel properties. Due to the advancement of nanotechnology in the manufacturing of fibers/yarns including the development of fabric finishes, the applications and scopes are widespread in the area of textiles for the last few decades. Therefore, this work describes a short review about how to benefit from nanotechnology in clothing and textile industry, which is considered an effective and promising technology for advancement and development of this vital industry.

Keywords: Architectural colorants; Plasmonics; Holography; LED displays

Abbreviations:PES: Polyester; PA: Polyamide; PP: Polypropylene

Introduction

Nanotechnology has shown to be a multidisciplinary study area, increasing its range of applications in several spheres of human activity. Advancements in nanotechnology have been made in textile materials as a result of the quest for enhanced multifunctionality in engineering, industrial, technical, and medical textiles. Textile materials now have several uses thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technologies including photonic crystals, plasmonics, luminescence, architectural colorants, holography, LED displays, and metamaterials [1]. In addition, increasing customer demand for durable and functional apparel manufactured in a sustainable manner has created an opportunity for nanomaterials to be integrated into textile substrates. Nanomaterials offer a wider application potential to create connected garments that can sense and respond to external stimuli via electrical, color, or physiological signals [2].

Textile is a universal interface and ideal substrate for the integration of nanomaterials, electronics, and optical devices. Such integrated materials and technologies offer a platform that responds to mechanical, chemical, electrical, thermal, optical, or magnetic stimuli. Such wearable devices may include sensors, data transmission, and processing units. These engineered materials should seamlessly integrate into garments and be flexible and comfortable while having no allergic reaction to the body [2-9].

Three types of nanotechnology in textiles can be distinguished [3]:
Nanotechnology in fibers and yarns (fabrics)
Nanotechnology in coatings (textile finishing)-E-textiles

Production Methods of Nanotextiles

The production processes of nanoengineered textiles are different. The key difference among them is whether synthetic nanoparticles are integrated into the fibers or the textile, or are applied as a coating on the surface, and/or whether nanoparticles are added to the nanoscale fibers. Nano finishing comprises of different fabric coating technique used by applying nano-particles onto textile fabrics and apparels [4-9]. Coating is a common technique used to apply nano-particles onto textiles fabrics. The coating compositions that can modify the surface of textiles fabrics are usually composed of nano-particles, a surfactant, ingredients and a carrier medium. New coating techniques like sol-gel, layer-by-layer, plasma polymerization, etc. can develop multi-functionality, intelligence, excellent durability and weather resistance to fabrics. One of the applications of nanotechnology in textile industry is in polymeric materials for producing conventional fibers such as PES (Polyester), PA (Polyamide) and PP (Polypropylene) in nano scale [4].

A way of producing nanotextile products is a nanofiber which is produced by electro spinning process. In this spinning process fibers are produced with dimensions of nano scaling. Another way of nanofiber production is split spinning which involves splitting a filament into multiple smaller filaments form but this process is under development till. Nano structured composite fabrics have led to the exploration of high strength and superior performance fabrics, while many other applications in nanofiber, yarn or fabric are still way of future. Nano textiles have multifunctional properties like high surface area, a small fiber diameter, good filtration properties, thin layers and high permeability [4-10]. Producing nano composite fibers is another way of nanotextile production. A nano composite is comprised of a combination of two or more different substances of nanometer size, thereby producing a material that generally has enhanced specific properties due to the combined properties and/or structuring effects of the components. These products include warming and cooling textiles, conductive textiles, communicating textiles, textile sensors and actuators, digital fashion, chromatic textiles, etc. with applications in the medical field, sport and leisure, the military and first-responders market, and intelligent applications in buildings. In this case nanotextile fabrics are incorporate into fibers, yarns or fabrics to improve its mechanical, electrical, optical or biological properties [4-11]. Making clothing and fabric with nanoparticles or nanofibers allows the improvement of fabric properties without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness. For example, incorporating nano-whiskers into fabric used to make pants produces a lightweight water- and stain-repellent material [7].

Challenges in the development of Nanotextiles

Nanotechnology has thus emerged as the ‘key’ technology, which has revitalized the material science and has the potential for development and evolution of a new range of improved materials including polymers and textiles. However, there are many challenges in the development of these products, which need to be intensively researched so that the wide range of application envisaged can become a commercial reality [6-9]. An excellent dispersion and stabilization of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix is crucial to achieving the desired nano effects. The tendency to agglomerate due to extremely high surface area is the major problem facing the effective incorporation of nanoadditives in coatings/finishing as well as in nanocomposite preparation. Surface engineering of nanoparticles and combining them with functional surface-active polymers can bring the nano-particles onto fibers/textiles without losing their super nanoscopic properties. Many functional fabrics can be made by using the combination of nano-particles in textiles, like selfcleaning textiles. These self-cleaning textiles are made by using combination of nano-particles like water and oil repellent along with anti-bacterial property [5-8].

Conclusion

Making clothing and fabric with nanoparticles or nanofibers allows the improvement of fabric properties without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness. Recently, there is a growing interest in the use of fine fibers such as micro- and nanofibers for Nano technology made it possible to make these kinds of intelligent and smart textiles. Market for smart and intelligent textiles is growing fast, according to the market research, the global market for smart fabrics that depends on nanotechnology is forecast to grow to billions U.S. dollars by coming years.