Nanotechnology in Textiles and Applications

Nanotechnology in Textiles

• Nanotechnology has real commercial potential for the textile industry.
• Traditional methods for adding properties to fabrics often don't create lasting effects, losing function after washing or wear.
• Nanotechnology can create highly durable fabrics due to nanoparticles' large surface area-to-volume ratio.
• Nanoparticles in fabrics do not impact breathability or comfort.

Composite Fibers

• Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in manufacturing composite fibers.
• Key components include carbon nanofibers and carbon nanoparticles.
• Other important components are clay nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and nano-cellular foam structures.

Applications in Apparel

• Nanotechnology-enhanced textiles are used in various industries, including sports, skincare technology, and clothing for extreme environments.
• Treating textiles with nanomaterials improves durability, color, and properties like stain and wrinkle resistance.
• Body warmers utilize phase change materials to respond to temperature changes.
• Nano-silver-treated socks combat infections and odors.

Swimming Suits

• Shark-skin suits, enhanced with nanotechnology, are used in record-breaking Olympic swimming events.
• Nanotech enhances the suit by creating a plasma layer that repels water molecules—reducing drag, boosting speed.

Sporting Goods

• Nanotechnology has enhanced various sporting goods—including running shoes, tennis racquets, golf balls, and skin creams.
• Scientists also use naturally occurring viral nanoparticles to improve nanotechnology in materials.
• A garment that senses its surroundings and interacts with the wearer is an emerging area of interest, using textile-based nanosensors to monitor vital signs and weather conditions.

Lifestyle Applications

• Nanotechnology's earliest commercial applications are seen in textiles and cosmetics.
• Nanotechnology is key in creating bulletproof vests.
• Nanotube fibers are significantly stronger than Kevlar.

Properties of Textile Materials

• Nanotechnology imparts various properties to textiles, including water repellence, soil resistance, wrinkle resistance, antibacterial properties, anti-static properties, UV protection, flame retardation, and improved dye ability.
• Fabrics can also be self-cleaning.

Water Repellence

• Nano-tex creates nano-whiskers that make fabrics repel water, maintaining strength and creating a 'peach fuzz' effect.

UV Protective Finishes

• Nanotechnology protects wearers from UV radiation (wavelengths from 150 to 400nm).
• Metal oxides (ZnO) are more stable as UV-blockers.
• ZnO nanoparticles are better than nano-silver in terms of cost, whiteness, and UV-blocking effectiveness.
• Fabric treatment with UV absorbers protects against harmful UV rays.

Self-Cleaning Fabrics

• A self-cleaning cotton fabric called Nanocare is available and popular.
• Nano-silver, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide are elements used for antibacterial properties.
• Metallic ions enhance sterilization.

Clothes Make the Man

• Historical context is provided about fabric's protection.
• Kevlar, a strong DuPont polymer fiber, is used in bulletproof vests. Energy is dispersed to prevent penetration.
• Interlaced Kevlar fibers distribute bullet impact, allowing force to be absorbed throughout the cloth instead of concentrated at a single point of impact.

Kevlar Nanofibers

• Kevlar aramid nanofibers (KANFs) are a nanoscale version of poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide).
• These fibers have unique properties like electrical conductivity, flexibility, mechanical strength.

Spider Silk and Other Fabrics

• Nexia Biotechnologies utilizes genetically engineered goats to produce spider silk, creating a material far stronger than steel.
• Carbon nanotubes increase strength, and are useful in products like bulletproof vests.
• Eddie Bauer and Dockers utilize nanotechnology to create stain-resistant and durable textiles.

Other Technologies

• Quick-drying fabrics remove moisture to provide a cooler wearing experience, combining synthetic and cotton-like features.
• Clemson University, using silver nanoparticles, created self-cleaning fabrics that repel dirt with water.
• Additional outdoor items can be designed using this technology such as convertible car tops or lawn furniture. Less detergent can also be used saving money and benefiting the environment.

Explore the innovative intersection of nanotechnology and textiles in this quiz. Learn about the benefits of using nanoparticles and composite fibers to enhance fabric durability and performance in various applications. Discover how these advancements impact industries such as apparel and skincare.